NIMROD 

A    DRAMA 


N   I  M   R  O  D 


A    DRAMA 


By 
Francis  Rolt- Wheeler,   Ph.D. 

Author  of  "  The  Boy  with  the  U.  S.  Survey,"  "  The  Boy  with  the  U.  S. 

Foresters,"  "  The  Boy  with  the  U.  S.  Census,"  "  The  Boy  with 

the  U.  S.  Fisheries,"  "  The  Science  -  History  of  the 

Universe,"  "  The  Dawn  of  Man,"  etc.,  etc. 


BOSTON 
LOTHROP,  LEE  AND  SHEPARD  CO. 


Copyright  in  United  States  (non-publication) ,  1006,  by  Francis  William  Rolt-Wheeler 

Copyright  in  United  States,  1912,  by  Francis  William  Rolt-Wheeler 
Copyright  in  Great  Britain  and  Colonies,  1912,  by  Francis  William  Rolt-Wheeler 

All  rights  reserved 

NIMROD 


THE  COLONIAL  PRESS 
C.  H.  SIMONDS  &  CO.,  BOSTON,  U.  8.  A. 


My  Beloved  Wife 


Far  beyond  Space,  before  and  after  Time, 

Undreamed  of  by  the  gods,  inviolate, 

Dwell  arch-divinities.    They  predicate 
The  life  of  Inspiration  in  that  prime 
When  never  yet  was  aught  beside.    Sublime 

In  utter  loneliness,  theirs  to  create 

What  is,  what  shall  be;   theirs  also  to  wait, 
Cycles  of  suns  but  minutes  in  their  chime. 

So  silent!    So  remote!    Yet  viewless  flame 
Is  sped  by  their  Creative  thought  to  gleam 
In  sacrificial  fanes  —  the  hearts  of  seers; 
And  thou,  Christine,  art  one  of  these;   thy  name, 
Like  thee,  conjoint  of  Real  and  of  Dream, 
Foreshows  the  unknown  joy  of  future  years. 

FRANCIS  ROLT  -  WHEELER. 


268527 


PREFATORY  NOTE 


"  NIMROD  "  was  begun  in  the  winter  of  1901,  and  in  its 
first  form,  as  a  dramatic  poem,  was  completed  in  1903. 
Later  it  was  prepared  for  stage  production,  and  on  July 
19,  1906,  was  copyrighted  as  such  under  its  present  title. 
In  the  winter  of  1911  an  advantageous  change  in  the  first 
act  suggested  itself  to  the  author  and  the  drama  was  again 
entirely  rewritten.  Since  the  publication  of  Miss  Anna 
Hempstead  Branch's  magnificent  epic  "  Nimrod,"  many 
names  for  the  following  drama  have  been  discussed  in  order 
to  avoid  confusion,  but  none  other  than  the  original  title 
commended  itself.  The  plots,  however,  are  utterly  dis- 
similar and  one  is  a  drama  while  the  other  is  an  epic  poem. 

It  may  be  stated,  perhaps,  that  the  story  is  not  based 
on  any  legend,  but  is  suggested  by  the  necessary  type  of 
warfare  in  the  Tigris  and  Euphrates  valleys  in  the  days 
whereof  the  Hebrew  Bible  speaks  concerning  "  Nimrod, 
son  of  Cush,  the  mighty  hunter  before  the  Lord."  The 
double  conflict  between  democracy  and  aristocracy  and 
between  superstition  and  monotheism  is  of  direct  modern 
application. 


vii 


DRAMATIS    PERSONS 

NIMROD  —  Commander  of  the  army 

ASTRAEL  —  King  and  High-Priest  of  Eridhu 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Chief  of  the  priests 

MITURA  —  Young  priest,  related  to  the  royal  line 

EN  -  TUR  —  Veteran  attached  to  Nimrod's  body-guard 

GILVAR  -  UR  —  Second   in   command  of  the   army,   under 

Nimrod 

ENOCHAEL  —  Jewish  patriarch  and  prophet 
HERMIT  —  Revolutionist,  enemy  of  the  priests 

ASTUPHELI  —  Daughter  of  the  King 
YARETHAH  —  Daughter  of  Enochael 
PELIAH  -  HEM  —  Queen  of  a  conquered  city 
Soldiers,  priests,  etc. 


SYNOPSIS    OF    SCENES 


ACT  I 

Scene  I  —  The  terrace  of  a  Chaldean  Observatory,  evening. 
Scene  2  —  The  interior  of  the  Star-Temple,  the  next  day. 

ACT  II 

Scene  I  —  The  market-place  of  a  conquered  city,  ten  days 

later. 
Scene  2  —  The    patriarchal     encampment     of     Enochael, 

next  morning. 

ACT  III 

Scene  —  The  sacrificial  cell  in  the  vaults  of  the  Star-Temple, 
two  days  later. 


ACT   I 


ACT    I,     SCENE  i 

Scene.  —  The  raised  earth  terrace  surrounding  a  ziggurat 
or  ancient  Chaldean  observatory.  To  the  left  is  the 
first  flight  of  steps  leading  up  to  the  ziggurat,  the  lower 
story  of  which,  being  sacred  to  the  innermost  planet, 
Mercury,  is  faced  with  pure  white  glazed  tiles.  The 
steps  are  white  alabaster  and  semi-circular.  Flanking 
the  farther  side  of  the  staircase,  upon  a  black  diorite 
base,  stands  a  winged  golden  bull,  man-headed  and  of 
colossal  size,  in  the  style  of  the  First  Babylonian  Em- 
pire. One  half  of  one  side  of  the  ziggurat  and  one 
half  of  the  great  semi-circular  staircase  leading  to  the 
main  entrance  are  seen.  Recessed  by  the  width  of  a 
steeply  sloping  outside  path  of  sufficient  breadth  to 
allow  the  bearing  of  litters,  the  second  story  rises  toward 
the  sky,  being  faced  with  tiles  of  a  light-blue  color, 
symbolical  of  the  planet  Venus.  The  color  scheme  is 
bold,  being  broken  only  by  the  mosaics  running  breast 
high  through  the  tiers  of  glazed  brickwork  and  by  the 
frequent  shallow  niches  characteristic  of  early  Baby- 
lonian architecture.  Immediately  above  the  high  main 
entrance  is  seen  on  the  second  story  a  richly  decorated 
doorway.  All  the  construction  is  without  arches. 

At  the  back  of  the  stage  runs  a  low  parapet,  sur- 
mounting the  supporting  wall  of  the  terrace,  which, 
like  the  parapets  guarding  the  outside  walls  that  en- 
circle the  ziggurat,  is  turreted  in  an  irregular  design. 
Beyond  the  parapet  of  the  terrace  are  seen  the  flat- 
topped  roofs  of  low  buildings  of  sun-baked  brick.  In 
the  distance  a  second  ziggurat  appears,  oriented  in  the 


N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

manner  as  the  building  in  the  foreground,  suffi- 
ciently far  away  for  the  entire  structure  to  be  seen, 
each  successive  story  of  its  pyramid  formation  glowing 
with  the  color  symbolical  of  the  planet  to  which  it  is 
consecrated.  On  the  further  side  runs  the  dark  outline 
of  the  city  wall,  and  beyond,  the  alluvial  plains  of  the 
Tigris  valley. 

To  the  right  of  the  stage  stands  a  second  winged  bull, 
also  of  gold,  upon  a  black  pedestal  only  two  feet  high, 
the  topmost  point  of  head  and  wings  being  level  with 
the  base  of  the  great  sculpture  beside  the  ziggurat  steps, 
thus  suggesting  the  avenue  of  colossi  guarding  the  ap- 
proach to  ike  sacred  building. 

A  comet  gleams  in  the  sky.  The  Time  is  early 
Evening. 

As  the  curtain  rises,  CAL  -  ERECH  is  seen  standing 
on  the  steps  and  looking  at  MITURA,  who  is  leaning 
over  the  parapet  gazing  anxiously  in  the  direction  of 
the  city,  as  though  endeavoring  to  see  what  is  happening 
in  the  streets  below.  The  sounds  of  a  tumult  are  heard, 
hoarse  shouts  and  shrill  cries  coming  faintly  to  the  ear. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (speaking  with  a  marked  assumption  of  care- 
lessness] 

Thou  dost  hear  their  cries?     This  people  seems  dis- 
turbed! 

MITURA  —  (with  fear  in  his  voice)  They  rage ! 

(Turns  to  CAL  -  ERECH  with  wonderment)  And   yet 

this  tumult  doth  not  seem 
To  trouble  thee! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (slowly  and  quietly,  his  tones  a  marked  con- 
trast to  the  other's  hurried  utterance)  Why  should  it 
trouble  me  ? 

I  know  its  cause!    Fear  hath  no  dwelling-place 

In  those  who  know  its  origin. 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  3 

MITURA.  But  crowds 

Are  smit  by  unruled  purposes,  sudden 
Some  swift  mood  strikes  them,  their  temper  turns, 
They  pass  from  hate  to  love,  from  love  to  hate, 
And  unconsidered  action  —  like  a  flood  — 
Sweeps  onward  to  a  hidden  bloody  end, 
Wilder,  more  savage,  more  relentless 
Than  the  maddest  of  them  all  would  have  dared 
dream. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  And  then? 

MITURA.  Then  Peril  grows  with  every 

breath  they  draw! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  I  find  no  peril  in  their  maddest  mood. 
A  crowd,  to  me,  is  but  an  instrument 
On  which  a  player  plays  in  massive  chords; 
It  has  no  single  notes. 

MITURA.  But  who  will  play 

On  such  an  instrument,  whose  pipes  are  hoarsened 

throats, 

Whose  keys  are  all  the  passions  of  the  base? 
Dost  thou  dare  play  upon  it? 

CAL  -  ERECH.  I  do  not  need! 

King  Astrael  shall  call  forth  angry  harmonies 
And  Earth  shall  shake  under  the  beat  of  sound. 
I  do  not  play  at  all.    (Pauses  meaningly) 

I  write  the  score! 

(He  turns  toward  the  ziggurat  in  a  listening  attitude, 
as  steps  are  heard,  then  faces  MITURA  and  points  down 
the  sloping  terrace) 

I  hear  the  king!     (MITURA  hesitates)     Go  then! 
(With  marked  emphasis)      I  have  to  write  the  score. 

(Exit  MITURA 


4  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

(CAL  -  ERECH  goes  up  the  steps  and  makes  obeisance) 
(Enter  ASTRAEL.     He  is  abstracted  and  pays  no  heed 
to  the  priest,  but  gazes  steadily  at  the  sky) 
Thou  hast  interpreted  the  sign,  O  King? 

ASTRAEL  —  (meditatively)    The  watching  constellations  seem 

to   brood 

Over  a  coming  evil.    Yonder  sign 
Balefully  gleaming  in  the  zodiac 
Foretells  a  shattered  wall,  a  broken  throne, 
Shows  full-gorged  vultures  on  the  Temple  shrine 
And  brings  the  cries  of  jackals  to  my  ear. 
'Tis  strange  that  gods  should  choose  such  means  as 

this 
To  blazon  forth  what  they  have  willed  to  do. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  'Tis  not  so  strange,  the  stars  are  mysteries; 
No  mystery  —  no  fear!    The  gods  need  fear. 

ASTRAEL  —  What  dost  thou  read  in  it? 

CAL  -  ERECH.  I  only  read 

Such  prophecies  as  fit  our  purposes. 

ASTRAEL — (impatiently)     Is  there  no  truth  in  Faith?     Is 

craftiness 

So  sure  an  armor  that  the  shafts  of  hate 
Strike  on  it  harmlessly?  I  read  the  sign 
And  dare  to  face  my  reading! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (warningly)    True,  O  King, 

But  all  thy  people,  all  thy  priests,  do  not. 

Mark  this  alone,  that  even  Mitura  is  sick 

With  heaviness  of  terror,  one  dark  word 

Will  wreck  his  peace,  he  is  now  half  distraught. 

Call  this  (pointing  to  the  comet)  a  blessing,  Mitura 

stands  firm; 

Cry  it  a  curse,  his  blood  shall  turn  to  sap 
And  he  will  fail  us  when  we  need  him  most. 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  5 

ASTRAEL.  Would  that  I  could 

Infuse  his  blood  with  sychor  of  high  aims, 
Ambition,  noble  men's  intoxicant. 
But  he  prefers  to  think  of  common  folk, 
He  aims  to  please  the  sweating  water-carrier, 
Gives  alms  for  sake  of  cheaply-gotten  praise. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  a  note  of  maliciousness)       The  streets 
Resound  with  cries  of  "  Mitura!  " 

ASTRAEL.  Meanwhile 

In  secret  conclave  ever  his  voice  is  raised 
To  levy  greater  burdens  on  the  land, 
A  heavier  tax,  a  harder  tale  of  toil. 
For  petty  greed  he  would  oppress  the  people  more 
Than  I  for  mighty  conquests  have  been  forced  to 
do! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Yet  he  can  cloak  it  by  pretense  of  love. 

ASTRAEL.  Such  love 

Between  a  monarch  and  his  subjects,  like  a  seed 
Fallen  between  two  blocks  of  masonry, 
Grows  to  a  tree  which  hurls  them  wide  apart, 
And  standing  strong  itself,  sees  not  their  fall. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Yet   we    must   use    his    weakness    for   our 
strength. 

ASTRAEL  —  There  is  no  other!    (Longingly)    Would  Jarimel 
Were  old  enough! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  an  air  of  rebuking  an  idle  speech) 

Full  fifteen  years  must  pass 
Before  thy  son  can  guide  the  reins  of  power; 
Scarce  has  he  learned  to  walk! 

ASTRAEL.  His  infancy 

Drags  back  the  wheels  of  time,  the  weeks  are  years 
Until  he  reaches  manhood.    We  cannot  wait  — 
Mitura  must  marry  Astupheli. 


6  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (suggestively)    Should  she  be  early  widowed  ? 

ASTRAEL.  Jarimel  could  rule 

Under  her  regency. 

CAL  -  ERECH.  The  prayers  of  kings 

Often  find  ready  answer  with  the  gods; 
Especially  when  kept  in  secrecy. 

ASTRAEL  —  (looking  up  quickly)    Secret  from  everyone! 

CAL  -  ERECH.  And  above  all  — 

(Points  toward  the  entrance) 
From  him  who  comes  this  way. 

ASTRAEL.  Who  is  it  comes  ? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Nimrod,  the  captain  of  thy  body-guard. 

(A  ringing  sound  of  metal  is  heard  from  the  entrance 
leading  to  the  city) 

(Enter  NIMROD.  He  is  dressed  as  a  warrior  and  carries 
a  huge  bronze  spear) 

NIMROD  —  Greeting,  King  Astrael !    (Nods  carelessly  to  CAL- 
ERECH). 

ASTRAEL.  Welcome,  my  lord! 

Thou  dost  not  often  seek  the  ziggurat! 

NIMROD  —  I  have  too  much  of  earnest  work  to  do 

To  fret  about  the  stars.     I   come  to  warn  thee, 
King  — 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Thou  usest  little  courtesy,  my  lord ! 
Thou  speakest  to  the  king! 

NIMROD  —  (impatiently)  And  thou  to  me ! 

Bid  thy  two  lips  a  closer  friendship  keep 
In  warriors'  presence.    The  world  is  sick 
Of  words  for  the  sake  of  words,  instead  of  deeds; 
High-sounding  titles  are  impediments 
When  urgent  matters  need  decisive  speech. 


SCENE  i  N  I  M  R  O  D  7 

ASTRAEL — (haughtily)      Who    bade    thee    urge    decisive 
speech  to  me? 

NIMROD  —  King  Astrael,  in  thy  seclusion  here, 
The  troubles  of  thy  people  seem  far  off, 
Just  as  a  lion's  roar,  in  city  walls, 
Gives  a  vague  interest  to  a  desert  scene. 
It  does  not  cause  the  warrior's  hand  to  clutch 
With  furious  joy  his  shaft  of  tempered  bronze, 
It  does  not  make  the  peaceful  merchant  shrink 
And  pray  that  long  lithe  body  may  not  spring 
And  take  him  to  its  lair,  for  it  is  far, 
And,  in  the  walls,  men  heed  not  that  without. 
But  if  that  mighty  roar  be  heard  within, 
If  in  the  streets  the  king  of  beasts  is  seen, 
Uncaged,  red-jowled,  tossing  his  yellow  mane, 
What  fear  and  terror  then!    King  Astrael, 
More  thunderous  than  any  lion's  roar, 
More  venomous  than  any  serpent's  bite, 
More  deadly  than  the  devil-wind  Simoom 
Is  Ignorance,  in  Panic,  brooding  Hate. 
The  streets  are  filled  with  human  beasts  of  prey, 
The  tiger,  jackal,  leopard  and  the  snake, 
And  one  old  lion  in  a  hermit's  shape 
Whetting  their  appetite  to  slaughter.    King! 
'Tis  time  to  act! 

ASTRAEL  —  (contemptuously)     Why  should  the  people  sud- 
denly grow  dangerous? 

NIMROD  —  They  fear  the  portent.     When   the   third   day 

passed 

And  those  who  thronged  the  Temple  came  away 
Hearing  but  rumors  of  approaching  doom, 
Staring-eyed  Panic  bit  the  troubled  folk, 
And  wayside  prophets,  foaming  at  the  mouth, 
Run    through    the    streets  and  cry  —  "The  end  is 

come!" 


8  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

ASTRAEL  —  (with  exaggerated  carelessness) 

Prophets  may  cry  and  yet  the  end  not  come. 

NIMROD  —  (paying  no  heed  to  the  interruption) 

The  merchant  leaves  his  stall,  the  looms  are  still, 
The  new-born  baby  clamors  for  his  food, 
While  mothers  peer  with  dread  from  out  their  doors 
To  chance  upon  some  word  may  calm  their  fears 
Or  double  them  indeed.    O  Priest  and  King! 
King  wilt  thou  be  no  longer,  neither  priest, 
Unless  this  fear-plague  checks. 

ASTRAEL  —  (in  a  domineering  tone)    Check  thou  the  plague ! 
What  if  they  chafe?    It  is  thy  task  to  tame  them, 
The  army  costs  enough. 

NIMROD.  Would'st  thou  fight  Fear 

With  bow  and  arrow?    Throw  a  javelin 
At  Panic?    Or  with  stroke  of  sword  cut  out 
Hatred  of  priestcraft,  royalty  and  thee  ? 
Is  the  mind  met  by  hunting  blades  ?    The  tongue 
Curbed  by  an  ambushment  of  cavalry? 

ASTRAEL  —  Hatred  is  well.    None  hate  unless  they  fear, 
And,  while  they  fear,  what  matter  is  their  hate  ? 
I  am  their  king,  high-priest,  almost  their  god ! 

NIMROD  —  (lifting  the  blade  of  his  spear  to  his  lips  and  breath- 
ing lightly  upon  it) 

For  one  day  longer  let  this  panic  breed  — 
I  count  thy  power  then  but  breath  on  piece 
Of  burnished  metal,  which,  as  you  regard, 
Evaporates  and  straightway  shows  beneath 
That  which  a  moment  clouded.    See,  'tis  gone! 
(Holds  out  the  blade  of  the  spear  to  the  king) 

ASTRAEL  —  Thou  art  too  quick  to  credit  evil  tales, 
It  is  thy  part  to  keep  my  realm  at  peace. 
(Taps  the  blade  of  NIMROD'S  spear) 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  9 

This  is  thy  sceptre!    What  dost  thou  wish  to  do 
To  make  the  common  folk  obedient? 

NIMROD  —  The  army  will  defend  from  foreign  foe, 
But,  Astrael,  remember,  common  folk 
Comprise  thy  kingdom.    True,  thou  art  a  king, 
But  king  of  what?    King  of  no  other  thing 
Than  common  folk,  and  king  no  more  of  that 
Unless  thy  kingliness  avert  their  misery. 

ASTRAEL  —  (roughly  clutching  at  the  fastening  of  the  royal 

mantle  as  though  he  wished  to  cast  it  from  him) 
Almost  it  angers  me  to  be  a  king! 

NIMROD  —  If  thou  would'st  rule  this  people,  Astrael, 
Give  them  a  voice  to  speak  of  their  affairs, 
Raise  from  them  certain  leaders,  who  may  be 
Thine  aids,  instead  of  royal  favorites, 
Treat  them  as  men  and  women,  not  as  beasts. 

ASTRAEL  —  (in  amazement  and  disgust) 

Raise  rulers  from  the  common  multitude? 

NIMROD  —  Their  blood's  as  hot  as  yours,  and  when  it's  spilt 
Reddens  as  large  a  piece  of  ground,  not  more. 
Their  cries  of  grief  have  just  as  loud  a  sound 
As  yours  of  worship,  and  their  homes  are  dear 
As  Princess  Astupheli  is  to  you. 

ASTRAEL  —  (striding  to  and  fro  impatiently) 

Divide  my  power  midst  a  pack  of  dogs 
Which  snarl  around  my  palace?    Pick  the  dog 
That  barks  the  loudest,  make  him  sentinel 
To  bid  the  other  curs  keep  distance! 

NIMROD  —  I  said  not  —  man  and  dogs,  but  man  and  man! 
Art  thou  a  god?    Dost  thou  control  the  elements? 
Dost  thou  not  eat  and  sleep?     Shalt  thou  not  die? 
The  bony  frame  that  bears  the  robe  and  crown 


io  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Can  it  be  told  from  that  which  bears  the  lash? 
What  art  thou  then  if  not  a  man? 

ASTRAEL —  (loudly  and  with  anger)  I  am  the  King! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  My  lord  forgetteth  this,  that  courtliness 
Is  the  prerogative  of  kings. 

NIMROD.  False  words 

And  diplomatic  phrase  I  do  not  stoop  to  use; 
I  will  not  mar  the  spotless  robe  of  truth 
With  gaudy  needlework  of  over-courtesies. 

ASTRAEL —  (sneeringly)     The  robe  of  truth!     What  if  thy 

tale  be  false? 

(NiMROD  stands  silent  a  moment,  as  though  disbe- 
lieving that  his  word  could  be  doubted,  then  steps  for- 
ward threateningly.  CAL  -  ERECH,  who  has  been 
watching  closely,  steps  in  between  them,  just  as  NIM- 
ROD is  about  to  speak) 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (turning  to  NIMROD  with  a  pleading  gesture) 
My  lord!    Say  not  the  word  irrevocable! 
I  am  old,  and  age  brings  certain  wisdoms. 
Thou  hast  a  god,  and  by  that  god  I  speak  to  thee  — 
By  thine  own  manliness,  be  generous! 
Forget  the  bitter  word! 

(Without  giving  NIMROD  an  opportunity  to  reply,  he 
turns  to  the  king)     King  Astrael! 
The  captain  of  the  guard  hath  truly  told 
The  temper  of  thy  kingdom.    It  is  worse 
Than  has  been  said!    At  noon  the  princess  came 
And  begged  that  I  should  warn  thee. 

ASTRAEL.  Well  ? 

CAL  -  ERECH.  I  said, 

"  To-morrow !  "    There  may  be  no  to-morrow ! 

ASTRAEL  —  Bid  my  daughter  here! 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  n 

CAL  -  ERECH.  She  is  within. 

(Turns  as  though  to  go,  then  hesitates,  looks  back  at 
NIMROD  and  at  ASTRAEL,  as  though  fearing  to  leave 
them  together.  NIMROD  nods  in  agreement  and  turns 
away  from  the  king,  walking  to  the  foot  of  the  steps 
below  the  great  colossus.  CAL  -  ERECH  hurries  up  the 
sloping  pathway  that  leads  to  the  second  story  of  the 
ziggurat  and  thence  to  the  door  immediately  above  the 
main  entrance) 

Princess ! 

ASTUPHELI — (from  within)     Who  calls? 

CAL -ERECH  —  The  king  thy  father  asks  for  thee! 

(Enter  ASTUPHELI.  She  comes  upon  the  second  story 
pathway  and  down  the  slope  to  the  first  story,  followed 
by  CAL  -  ERECH.  As  the  princess  comes  down  the 
slope,  NIMROD  goes  up  the  marble  stairs,  to  within  two 
or  three  steps  from  the  top.  As  she  reaches  the  head  of 
the  great  staircase,  she  speaks) 

ASTUPHELI  —  My  Father  and  my  King!     Lord  Nimrod, 
welcome ! 

NIMROD  —  (raises  the  hem  of  the  outer  mantle  of  the  princess 

and  puts  it  to  his  lips  with  an  air  of  gallantry) 
I  pay  my  homage. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (pointedly)    Here  is  courtesy! 

NIMROD  —  The  princess  is  a  woman,  the  king 
Is  but  the  king. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (looking  at  him  steadily)     Perhaps  I  under- 
stand. 

NIMROD  —  'Tis  easy  to  understand  too  much. 

(During  this  colloquy,  ASTUPHELI  has  descended  the 
steps  and  come  to  her  father  ASTRAEL,  who  is  standing 
moodily,  paying  no  attention  to  the  curt  interchange 


12  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

between   NIMROD    and   CAL  -  ERECH.      He   turns   as 
ASTUPHELI   approaches} 

ASTUPHELI  —  My  lord  Cal-Erech  said  that  them  didst  ask 
for   me! 

ASTRAEL  —  Yes !   Why  didst  thou  urge  the  priest  to  warn  me  ? 
And  of  what? 

ASTUPHELI.  Father,  I  cannot  breathe,  the  air 

Is  drugged  with  fumes  of  terror!    Voiceless  night 
Broods  with  such  tension  of  unuttered  cries 
That  bids  one  pray  for  shrieking!    Before  the  dawn 
It  had  not  seemed  the  sun  could  ever  rise, 
And  all  day  long  his  arrows  have  been  sharp, 
Venomed  with  fear  of  dimly-seen  disaster! 

ASTRAEL  —  This  is  a  mere  presentiment!    A  dream! 

But  women's  vaporings!    Born  of  imagination! 

ASTUPHELI  —  Thy  palace  groans  aloud.     Thy  lords,  thy 

slaves 

Cower  like  birds  before  a  desert  storm. 
None  dares  to  be  alone. 

ASTRAEL.  In  my  own  palace  ? 

ASTUPHELI  —  They  whisper  that  a  monstrous  white-clawed 

bat 

Clings  to  the  cushion  of  thy  throne! 
(Loud  and  savage  cries  are  heard  from  the  crowd  in 
the  city  streets  below  the  parapet) 

NIMROD  —  (standing  beside  the  wall)          The  mob  is  loose ! 
Like  to  ten  thousand  wasps  in  angry  flight, 
With  throbbing  stings  aquiver,  comes  the  crowd. 
Go,  King!    This  people  has  no  love  for  thee, 
And  in  their  savage  temper,  even  I 
Can  scarcely  hold  them  back. 

ASTRAEL.  I  will  not  go! 


SCENE  i  N  I  M  R  O  D  13 

NIMROD  —  Provoke  not  useless  violence!    Thy  strength 
Lies  in  thy  mystery.    The  name  of  King 
Is  infinitely  stronger  than  himself. 
Act  while  unseen!    Enter  the  ziggurat! 
The  priests  have  means  to  keep  thee  safe. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (grasping  his  arm)  Father! 

ASTRAEL  —  Go,    Astupheli ! 

ASTUPHELI.  Not  without  thee,  Father! 

(Cries  of  the  crowd  are  heard  coming  nearer.  AS- 
TRAEL yields) 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Think  of  the  dynasty! 

ASTRAEL.  Forjarimel! 

Yes,  I  will  go. 

(He  follows  the  pressure  of  ASTUPHELI'S  grasp  and  hur- 
ries up  the  great  stairway  to  the  main  entrance.  At 
the  top  of  the  steps  he  turns') 

I  shall  be  close  at  hand! 

(Exit  ASTRAEL  and  ASTUPHELI 

NIMROD  —  (turning  with  surprise  to  CAL  -  ERECH,  who  is 

standing  quietly  a  few  yards  away) 
Thou  goest  not? 

CAL  -  ERECH.  I  do  not  need  a  spear 

On  which  to  build  my  courage. 

NIMROD.  Spoken  well. 

I  do  not  think  thee  coward !    It  may  be 
We  two  can  hold  the  steps. 

CAL  -  ERECH.  We  must! 

NIMROD.  We  will! 

(Rabble  bursts  in,  brandishing  rude  weapons.  In  the 
midst  of  them  is  being  driven  forward,  protestingly,  a 
HERMIT,  clad  in  dusty  rags) 


i4  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

VOICES  —  The  hermit!    Let  him  speak! 

( The  crowd  surges  forward  to  the  foot  of  the  steps  and 
the  HERMIT  is  thrust  to  the  front.  As  he  comes  near, 
NIMROD  descends,  step  by  step,  and  the  HERMIT  recoils} 

HERMIT —  Is  speech  denied? 

NIMROD.  To  no  man. 

VOICES.  On  the  pedestal! 

(The  HERMIT  makes  a  gesture  of  protest,  but  in  spite 
of  this  he  is  picked  up  by  willing  arms  and  lifted  to  the 
black  diorite  pedestal  beside  the  winged  man-headed 
bull) 

HERMIT  —  Woe,  woe  on  you  who  writhe  beneath  the  feet 
Of  the  usurper,  Astrael.    Arise!    Be  men! 
Throw  off  your  girdles,  lay  your  tools  aside! 
What  profits  all  your  lives?    Who  dwells  within 
The  palaces  you  build?    Who  drinks  the  wine 
Your  hands  have  made?    Who  wears  the  purple  robe 
Your  labor  has  brought  forth?    Who  sits  at  ease 
And  laughs  to  see  your  agonizing  toil, 
Pointing  to  silent  stars  for  all  his  reasons? 
Lay  low  the  ziggurats  and  let  the  walls 
Of  storied  color,  topped  with  golden  hue, 
Turn  to  bright  red  with  stain  of  tyrant  blood! 

A  VOICE  —  But  this  is  treason! 

HERMIT  —  (pointing  at  speaker)     I  can  see  hands  about  to 

clutch  thy  throat! 

(Sudden  tumult  occurs  in  the  crowd,  during  which 
MITURA,  who  has  been  in  the  background,  makes  his 
way  to  the  front  and,  going  up  the  steps,  speaks  in  a 
whisper  to  CAL  -  ERECH.  In  the  meantime  the  crowd 
parts,  showing  a  man  struggling  in  the  grasp  of  several 
others) 
Death  to  all  traitors!  Toss  him  from  the  wall! 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  15 

(Struggle  ensues,  at  the  end  of  which,  with  a  cry,  the 
victim  of  the  mob's  fury  is  thrown  over  the  parapet) 
Who  rule  by  force  must  die  by  force  at  last! 
Who  would  be  dog,  to  cringe  before  his  lord, 
When  he  might  crush  the  one  that  bids  him  crawl 
And  be  a  tiger  from  the  distant  hills, 
Supreme  in  his  own  strength,  his  food  his  own, 
His  home  inviolate? 

(During  this  speech  MITURA,  who  has  been  talking 
with  CAL  -  ERECH,  walks  from  the  top  step  of  the  great 
staircase  to  the  diorite  pedestal  and  thence  along  it 
until  he  stands  beside  the  HERMIT) 

VOICES.  Down  with  the  priests! 

(MITURA  hesitates  and  looks  back  at  CAL  -  ERECH) 

A  VOICE  —  Nay,  let  him  speak.     'Tis  only  Mitura. 

MITURA  —  (nervously)    I  shall  not  lose  the  love  you  bear  to 

me 

In  showing  you  the  folly  you  applaud. 
Is  this  thy  leader?    This,  whose  twisted  back 
Shows  how  the  gods  regard  him! 

HERMIT.  I  am  their  voice! 

MITURA  —  Is  hate  to  take  the  place  of  holiness  ? 
This  bitter-hearted  seer  attacks  the  king 
That  he  and  all  his  kind  may  fatten  on 
The  misery  which  falls  upon  a  land 
That  has  defamed  the  gods. 

HERMIT.  O  People!    Hear 

The  pet  dog  speaking  for  his  master.    Woe!    Woe! 
Woe! 

MITURA  —  A  dog  or  tiger,  dost  thou  say?    What  then? 
Which  has  the  happier  life?    The  hunting  hound 
Serving  a  useful  purpose  in  the  world, 


16  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Has  dwelling,  food  and  all  his  need  supplied, 
And  is  to  man  —  who  is  to  dog  a  god  — 
A  faithful  worshipper  and  well  beloved. 
The  snarling  tiger,  from  his  cubhood  up 
Half  starved,  in  peril  lies  from  day  to  day, 
Hunted  beneath  a  burning  sun,  and  at  the  last 
He  dies  by  man,  the  tiger's  devil-god, 
Unloving  and  unloved. 

HERMIT.  Yet  hath  he  claws 

To  gripe  and  teeth  to  rend!    O  People,  hear! 
Are  ye  all  toothless?    Are  your  claws  all  drawn? 
Have  ye  no  word  to  cry? 

VOICES.  Down  with  the  priests! 

HERMIT —  (grappling  MITURA)    Follow  the  traitor! 

(They  struggle  on  the  narrow  platform  in  front  of  the 
winged  bull,  the  HERMIT,  hard  and  wiry  from  his  desert 
life,  gradually  overcoming  the  youthful  resistance  of 
MITURA  and  forcing  him  to  the  side  nearest  to  the  wall. 
No  sooner  have  they  grappled  than  NIMROD  springs 
upon  the  diorite  base  and  runs  to  rescue  MITURA.  He 
reaches  the  struggling  pair  just  as  the  HERMIT  is  about 
to  throw  MITURA  to  the  street  below  and  with  a  mighty 
grasp  wrenches  them  apart.  He  motions  MITURA 
back  toward  CAL  -  ERECH  and  holds  the  HERMIT/^/. 
Its  appetite  for  slaughter  whetted,  the  crowd  once 
again  surges  toward  the  steps,  since  NIMROD,  engaged 
with  the  HERMIT,  no  longer  protects  the  entrance) 

VOICES.  Down  with  Cal-Erech! 

(CAL  -  ERECH,  looking  at  the  people  scornfully,  moves 
not  a  muscle.  The  foremost  of  the  mob  come  near 
enough  to  threaten  him  with  their  weapons  but  are 
daunted  by  his  impassive  contempt.  Then,  very 
slowly,  he  raises  his  right  hand,  partly  closed,  and  passes 
it  before  him,  scanning  closely  the  faces  of  the  crowd) 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  17 

VOICE  —  Nay,  do  not  point  at  me! 

(As  the  cry  is  raised  CAL  -  ERECH  pauses,  looks  fixedly 
at  the  speaker,  then  slowly  unclenches  his  half-closed 
hand  and  points  at  him  with  his  forefinger.  The  man 
gives  a  choked  cry  and  staggers,  the  crowd  making  way 
for  him,  and  with  tottering  stupefied  steps  he  disappears. 
A  shiver  runs  through  the^eople  and  they  draw  back) 
(During  this  proceeding  ASTRAEL  and  ASTUPHELI  enter 
from  the  main  entrance  of  the  ziggurat,  unnoticed  by 
the  people,  who  cower  before  the  transfixing  gaze  and 
motions  of  CAL  -  ERECH) 

ASTRAEL  —  (suddenly  and  in  stentorian  tones)     Cal-Erech, 

cease! 

At  last  the  gods  have  spoken.    The  word  is  Joy! 
Victory  rides  forth  beside  the  hosts  of  Eridhu, 
To-morrow  shall  be  festival.    Rejoice! 
Famine  shall  be  no  more!     Spoils  gold  as  yonder 

star 

Shall  flood  our  treasuries  as  floods  its  golden  light: 
Ten  thousand  captive  slaves  shall  lift  your  toil 
And  balmy  ease  is  borne  upon  the  wind. 
Thrice  three-score  prisoners  shall  be  set  free, 
Their  pardons  wait  them. 

CAL  -  ERECH.  Hail  to  the  king! 

VOICES  —  Hail  to  the  king! 

HERMIT.  Will  victories  buy  food? 

(NiMROD,  seeing  that  the  temper  of  the  crowd  is  changed 
to  relief  by  the  news  ASTRAEL  has  given,  releases  the 
HERMIT,  who  makes  his  escape  behind  the  winged  bull 
and  a  moment  or  two  later  is  seen  among  the  crowd. 
NIMROD  returns  to  the  top  of  the  steps,  standing  near 
the  king) 

ASTRAEL  —  To-morrow,  when  at  noon  the  sun's  ray  smites 
The  golden  altar,  shall  the  gods  reveal 


i8  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Their  purposes  concerning  Eridhu. 
This  is  the  word  the  Mighty  Seven  send. 
(NIMROD  comes  down  the  steps  and  speaks  to  the  men 
nearest   him) 

NIMROD  —  There  is  scant  time  to  plan  a  festival. 

Haste!    Get  you  home!      Your  wives  and  children 

wait 

To  hear  the  words  of  hope  you  bring  to  them. 
Lose  not  a  moment's  time! 

VOICES  —  (loudly  and  with  volume)    Hail  to  the  king! 

(The  crowd  begins  to  thin,  slowly  at  first,  then  faster, 
the  few  malcontents  remaining,  among  them  the  HER- 
MIT, being  hurried  off  by  NIMROD) 

(Exit  NIMROD 

ASTRAEL  —  (turning  to  CAL  -  ERECH)    Thou  knowest  what 
to  do? 

CAL  -  ERECH.         The  fire  sign  ? 

All  will  be  ready  at  the  hour  of  noon. 

(Exit  CAL  -  ERECH  and  MITURA 

ASTUPHELI  —  (with  a  tremor  in  her  voice) 

Thy  life  is  much  endangered,  Father! 

ASTRAEL — (contemptuously)  Nay! 

What  care  I  what  the  people  say  or  do? 
But  since  the  golden  fillet  pressed  my  brow 
I  have  not  felt  such  fear  as  comes  to  me 
In  reading  yonder  message  from  the  gods. 

ASTUPHELI  —  I  have  not  read  the  sign! 

ASTRAEL.  Easy  to  read, 

But  hard  to  understand.    It  prophesies 
A  mighty  conqueror  of  royal  birth 
Who  yet  is  kin  unto  the  common  folk, 
A  scorner  of  the  gods,  yet  mage  and  priest, 
And  while  it  shows  the  fall  of  Eridhu 


SCENE  i  N  I  M  R  O  D  19 

Still  does  it  show  that  victories  shall  come 
Unto  the  king  of  Eridhu. 

ASTUPHELI.  What  means  it  all? 

Royal  and  yet  allied  to  common  folk! 
A  scorner  of  the  gods  and  yet  a  priest! 
Warrior  and  conqueror  and  yet  a  mage! 

ASTRAEL  —  Yet  this  is  sure  —  that  Eridhu  must  fall. 
ASTUPHELI  —  Why  didst  thou  bid  the  multitude  rejoice? 
ASTRAEL  —  To  give  them  peace,  for  their  sakes  and  my  own. 
ASTUPHELI  —  What  wilt  thou  do? 

ASTRAEL.  Abandon  Eridhu 

And  build  a  greater  city  on  the  plain. 
Sweep  like  destroying  fire  on  those  chiefs 
Whose  petty  hamlets  dot  the  river  banks, 
Create  one  vast  dominion,  move  my  throne 
From  Eridhu  and  throw  the  city  down; 
Sow  salt  upon  its  ruins  and  convert 
The  doom  of  ill  to  glorious  prophecy. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (dubiously)    A  daring  plot! 

ASTRAEL.  It  is  a  dicer's  chance 

That  I  may  win,  it  is  a  certainty 
I  cannot  lose,  for  it  contains  the  means 
Of  leaving  to  the  ages  yet  to  come 
A  name  untarnished  by  a  petty  aim. 
If  I  must  fall,  fall  as  a  conqueror 
Slain  ere  he  end  his  task. 

ASTUPHELI.  You  do  not  look 

To  Mitura  for  great  accomplishment? 

ASTRAEL  —  He  is  as  ignorant  of  kingcraft 

As  thou  of  love;  to  rule  cannot  be  taught. 
It  needs  an  inner  consciousness  to  lead, 
Wherein  the  king  knows  himself  to  be  king. 


20  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Yet,  if  thou  marry  Mitura,  thy  power, 
Greater  than  his,  will  keep  the  kingdom  safe 
Until  thy  brother  Jarimel  shall  be 
Of  age  to  take  the  reins  of  government. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Why  look  to  Mitura  ? 

ASTRAEL.  Who  else  is  there 

With  birth  to  rule,  and  power  to  sustain? 

ASTUPHELI  —  (with  an  assumed  air  of  suggesting  a  new  idea 
that  had  just  occurred  to  her)    Nimrod  ? 

ASTRAEL  —  (striding  forward  and  placing  his  hand  upon  the 

girl's  lips) 

As  thou  would'st  value  life,  be  still! 
He  is  too  bold,  too  shrewd  to  trust  too  far. 
Always  the  wise  are  dangerous. 
(In  a  lighter  tone  and  with  an  expression  of  relief  ) 

Besides, 

He  is  not  priest,  knows  not  the  rites,  and  so 
He  could  not  serve. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Could  he  not  learn  the  rites  ? 

ASTRAEL  —  Who  would  dare  teach  them  ?    Nimrod  is  not 

loved 

By  any  of  the  priests,  and  only  Mitura 
Shares  in  the  royal  lore  we  two  possess. 
Nimrod  as  regent?    No!    I  had  been  wiser  far 
If  I  had  slain  him  when  in  childhood  days 
He  turned  his  mimic  spear  and  threatened  me. 
Even  to-day  he  menaced  me! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (in  surprise)  Yet  he  is  loyal? 

ASTRAEL  —  Loyal  in  what  he  deems  is  loyalty. 

He  neither  fears  the  gods  nor  yet  their  priests 
And  deems  me  but  the  equal  of  himself. 
If  once  he  thought  he  could  be  so,  in  truth, 
Nimrod  would  scale  that  sky  on  any  cloud 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  21 

And  laugh  defiance  at  the  lightning  flash, 
While  Astrael  and  Jarimel  would  fall. 
What  would  be  left  for  Mitura  and  thee  ? 
It  is  the  dicer's  chance.    Conquer  I  must! 

ASTUPHELI  —  Conquest  spells  suffering! 

ASTRAEL.  The  gods  decree! 

One  warning  word!    What  thou  hast  said  to-night 
Concerning  Nimrod,  never  think  again. 

(Exit  ASTRAEL 

ASTUPHELI  —  Any  but  Nimrod!    Not  a  priest  or  king? 
And  ignorant  of  sacred  rites?    Perhaps! 
As  ignorant,  he  said,  as  I  of  love. 
(Picks  up  the  hem  of  her  robe) 
Twas  here  he  kissed  it!    (Kisses  it  passionately) 

As  I  of  lovel 

(Curtain) 
End  SCENE  I 


ACT  I,  SCENE  2 

SCENE  —  The  interior  of  the  great  Star-Temple.  At  the  back 
stands  the  Golden  Altar,  symbolical  of  the  Sun,  raised 
on  several  steps.  Above  the  altar  is  suspended  a  large 
solar  disc  studded  with  gems,  designed  to  reflect  with 
myriad  facets  the  rays  of  the  sun  when  they  strike  upon 
it  at  a  regulated  hour  in  the  Temple  services,  which  was 
achieved  by  the  manipulation  of  a  powerful  reflector 
from  a  hidden  point.  On  either  side  of  the  main  altar 
hang  curtains  of  cloth-of-gold  tapestry,  slightly  draped 
aside  to  form  entrances.  Rising  from  the  back  of  the 
altar,  in  such  wise  as  to  make  the  suspended  solar  disc 
the  centre,  spring  two  immense  conventionalized  wings, 
soaring  over  each  of  the  curtained  entrances.  At  the 
foot  of  the  altar  steps  in  the  centre  stands  the  character- 
istic  conventionalized^  sacred  tree  or  Tree  of  Life,  about 
five  feet  in  height,  with  a  winged  figure  on  either  side. 
Huge  octagonal  pillars  to  right  and  left  lead  up  to  the 
central  altar  and  recessed  between  each  of  these  pillars 
stands  a  planet  shrine,  in  the  color  sacred  to  and  symbol- 
ical of  each  planet.  Thus,  in  their  order  on  the  right 
side  stands  a  white  shrine  and  altar,  a  blue  shrine  and 
altar  and  a  black  shrine  and  altar,  consecrated  respect- 
ively to  Mercury,  Venus  and  Saturn;  *  and  on  the 
opposite  side,  shrines  and  altars  of  red,  purple  and 
silver,  consecrated  respectively  to  Mars,  Jupiter  and 
the  Moon.  The  transition  of  color  is  made  on  the  oc- 
tagonal pillars,  which  are  faced  with  glazed  tile,  the  side 

1  The  precise  order  of  the  symbols  of  the  early  Chaldean  worship  is  not  definitely  known;  it  is  be- 
lieved, however,  that  they  did  not  follow  the  progression  of  planets  as  now  known  in  the  Copernican 
system. 

22 


SCENE  2  N  I  M  R  O  D  23 

of  the  pillar  next  to  the  shrine  being  of  a  similar  color •, 
but  the  three  intervening  sides  possessing  equal  grada- 
tions between  the  two  colors  to  be  contrasted.  The 
symbol  of  the  planet  also  is  worked  in  mosaic  on  the 
front  of  each  altar,  and  on  each  a  fire  is  burning,  the 
color  of  the  flame  being  of  the  hue  characteristic  of  the 
shrine.  For  the  altars  sacred  to  the  Moon  and  to  Saturn 
(white  and  black)  a  dense  white  and  a  sombre  black 
smoke  ascend  in  a  thin  spiral.  There  are  curtained 
entrances  on  either  side  of  the  two  groups  of  three  altars 
as  well  as  those  on  either  side  of  the  great  altar. 
The  Time  is  Morning. 

As  the  curtain  rises  NIMROD  is  seen  talking  to  EN- 
TUR  in  the  centre  of  the  temple.  A  band  of  soldiers  is 
drawn  up  near  the  curtained  entrances  on  either  side 
of  the  great  altar.  NIMROD  walks  hastily  to  one  of  the 
lesser  entrances  near  the  small  shrines  and  looks  out 
warily,  returning  to  EN  -  TUR. 

NIMROD  —  I  do  not  trust  these  priests.    I  trust  no  man 
Who  makes  his  office  better  than  himself. 
Did  you  not  hear  a  footstep? 

EN  -  TUR  —  (with  bluff  directness)          Not  I,  Lord, 
Else  had  that  foot  ceased  stepping. 

NIMROD.  En-Tur, 

If  every  star  in  all  the  heavens  should  crash 
Upon  the  shaking  earth,  if  noonday  sun 
Should  suddenly  be  quenched  and  all  be  dark, 
No  priest  shall  come  in  hearing  of  this  place 
Until  I  give  thee  word.    Six  entrances, 
Six  men  to  guard  them;  have  it  done. 
(£N  -  TUR  goes  toward  the  band  of  soldiers,  glances 
over  them  rapidly,  points  at  six  men  and  then  at  the 
entrances,  without  uttering  a  word.    The  soldiers  salute 
and  take  their  places) 


24  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

EN  -  TUR.  Tis  done. 

NIMROD  —  Keep  watch  without. 

EN  -  TUR.  Aught  further,  Lord? 

NIMROD.  No  more, 

Old  war-hound. 

EN  -  TUR.  No  priest's  ear  comes  nigh  this  place 

Till  head  and  body  shall  be  separate. 
(Lifts  shield  in  salute  and  motions  to  the  soldiers  to 
leave  the  temple,  the  sentinels  at  the  six  entrances  re- 
maining) (Exit  EN  -  TUR 

NIMROD  —  My  love  is  late ! 

(With  sudden  anger  as  the  memory   of  his  treatment 
by  ASTRA  EL  the  day  before  recurs  to  him) 

That  craven  priestly  king! 
No  gleam  of  star  or  sun,  or  flaming  lamp 
Of  earthly  or  of  heavenly  design 
Could  blanch  my  cheek  or  cause  my  lip  to  shake; 
But  he,  tricked  in  the  web  of  trickery 
He  weaves  to  conjure  others,  is  himself 
Not  less,  but  more,  a  prey  to  fancied  fears. 
(A  soldier  clashes  his  spear  against  his  shield  in  salute) 
Speak! 

SOLDIER.  The  princess,  noble  lord. 

NIMROD.  Uncurtain! 

(The  soldier,  who  has  been  guarding  one  of  the  entrances 
beside  the  great  altar,  draws  back  the  curtain) 
(Enter  ASTUPHELI.       She  comes  forward  as  NIMROD 
turns  expectantly   and  makes   an   obeisance  to   him. 
NIMROD  raises  her  with  both  hands  and  holds  them. 
Soldiers  step  to  outer  side  of  curtains  at  entrances) 
I  almost  feared,  my  love,  thou  could'st  not  come! 

ASTUPHELI  —  And  why,  my  lord? 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  25 

NIMROD.  Thy  father's  need  of  thee, 

Now  he  is  racked  by  fears. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (a  little  reproachfully)     He  is  ill,  Nimrodl 

NIMROD  —  111  of  the  shadow-maladies  of  Fear. 

His  eyes  are  fixed  upon  the  stars,  when  they  might 

feast 

Upon  such  vision,  Astupheli  sweet, 
As  thy  dear  self. 
(Draws  her  into  a  closer  embrace) 

But  tell  me,  whisper,  Love, 
Thou  brightest  and  thou  fairest  and  thou  best 
Of  womankind !  What  word  hast  thou  for  me  ? 

ASTUPHELI  —  The  old  one  only  — 

NIMROD.  Old,  but  always  sweet. 

ASTUPHELI  —  I  love  thee,  love  thee,  love  thee,  as  the  wave 
Ripples  its  soft  caress  upon  the  sand, 
And  murmurs  "  love  "  as  on  it  sweeps,  and  croons 
A  "  thee  "  with  its  receding  motion,  only  yet 
To  swell  again  with  "  love  "  and  die  with  "  thee." 

NIMROD  —  So  do  I  swell  with  pride  for  love,  because 
'Tis  thee  I  love,  and  also  so  would  die 
For  thee. 

ASTUPHELI.  I  could  not  have  thee  die  for  me, 

For  that  would  be  my  dying  for  myself, 
And  since  the  world  is  glorified  by  thee 
I  would  not  wish  to  leave  so  fair  a  place. 
'Twas  in  this  very  life  we  two  did  meet  — 
And  that  would  bridge  vast  seas  of  misery; 
'Tis  in  this  life  I  feel  thy  great  heart  beat 
Against  the  frightened  pulsing  of  my  own, 
And  gods  could  know  no  deeper  happiness; 
In  this  life,  in  this  place,  together,  Love, 
Robed  in  a  single  flame  that  glorifies, 


26  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Our  souls  give  power  to  the  universe, 

And  bliss,  like  ours,  knows  nought  of  death  or  time. 

NIMROD  —  What  should  bliss  know  of  Time  ?  So  small  a  thing 
As  days  and  hours,  measured  by  the  drop 
Of  grains  of  sand  through  hole  in  pottery; 
Or  in  a  larger  measure  made  by  him 
Who  is  the  slave  of  greater  force,  the  Sun, 
By  some  terrific  Master  forced  to  toil 
To  weary  height  of  heaven,  thence  compelled 
To  check  his  hastening  to  his  place  of  rest 
To  that  same  toilsome  pace  whereby  he  climbed 
The  arc  stupendous.    What  is  slaving  Time 
To  Astupheli?    For  the  greatest  gods, 
The  Masters  of  the  Sun,  would  reverence 
One  brighter  than  the  heaven's  host,  more  fair 
Than  ever  mind  of  man  conceived  before. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (laying  her  cheek  upon  NIMROD'S  shoulder) 
Why  folly  should  be  sweet,  I  cannot  tell, 
And  though  thy  words  of  so  great  overpraise 
Show  wisdom  sleeping,  Lover  Lord  of  Mine, 
They  seem  to  bathe  my  heart  in  ecstasy. 
How  could  a  maiden  dream  of  such  sweet  love? 

NIMROD  —  How  can  a  maiden  be  possessed,  as  thou, 

With  such  swift  thralldom  that  hath  wrapped  my 

heart 

About  thy  woman-self,  hot  from  Creation's  fire, 
So  that  a  thousand  deaths  I  rather  choose 
Than  that  a  single  heart-beat  in  thy  breast 
Should  be  disturbed  by  pain. 

ASTUPHELI.  Again  of  pain 

Thou  speakest,  it  is  strange;  Death  seems  so  near 
Under  this  golden  wonder  in  the  sky. 

NIMROD  —  (scornfully)    I  reck  no  whit  of  portents 

(with  a  note  of  concern  in  his  voice)    unless  it  be 


SCENE  2  N  I  M  R  O  D  27 

To  think  that  thou  hast  felt  uneasiness! 
If  this  hath  troubled  thee,  I'll  find  a  way 
To  cause  its  disappearance.    All  the  gods 
Have  given  thee  to  me  and  dare  not  mar 
The  rare  exception  of  perfection. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Grief  knows  no  caste  and  sorrow  pays  no  heed 
To  rules  of  courtesy  at  palace  gates; 
And  Death,  when  he  doth  come,  takes  precedence 
Of  every  monarch  in  the  world,  save  Love. 

NIMROD  —  I  knew  a  man  who  called  Love,  Infinite. 
He  said  it  never  died,  but  that  a  time 
Would  come  when  it  would  spring  to  life  again 
Self-born  by  its  own  beauty  and  its  joy. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Was  this  Enochael,  the  patriarch, 
Who  bade  thee  scorn  the  gods  of  Eridhu  ? 
Gods  whose  forbidden  lore  I  taught  to  thee! 

NIMROD  —  He  did  not  bid  me  scorn  the  gods,  but  stayed 
My  worship  of  the  universe.    Encamped 
Upon  the  plain,  I  often  talked  with  him. 
One  day,  close  to  his  tent,  two  camel-tracks 
Showed  plainly  in  the  sand,  one  riderless 
The  other,  ridden.    When  I  marked  this,  he  turned, 
And  bade  me  say  how  I  distinguished,  why 
A  hoof-mark  should  tell  all.    I  said  —  "  The  step 
Of  one  was  indecisive,  his  own  will 
And  pleasure  made  him  pause  here,  bend  and  crop 
The  grasses;  yonder  he  saw  an  ant-heap, 
Must  sniff  it,  there  a  verdant  tuft, 
And  so,  regardless  time,  he  wandered  riderless. 
The  other's  path,  clean-set,  directed,  marked 
By  time  and  space,  so  many  paces  passed 
To  such  an  arc  of  sun,  at  once  bespeaks 
The  shrewder  calculation  of  the  man." 
"  So  then,  my  son,"  the  patriarch  replied, 


28  NIMROD  ACT  I 

The  stars  which  circle  in  appointed  spheres 
Are  not  self-placed  there,  do  not  blindly  stray, 
But  are  the  subjects  of  a  God  who  holds 
The  sky,  the  earth,  the  sea  and  all  their  host 
By  simple  glance  to  His  obedience." 

ASTUPHELI  —  A  lesson  vast,  my  Love. 

NIMROD.  Too  vast  indeed 

For  such  a  time  of  tenderness  and  joy. 
For,  Astupheli,  timid  happiness, 
Like  soft  mirage,  too  quickly  fades  away 
Unless  we  enter  in  her  misty  mood 
And  languorously  yield  ourselves  entire 
To  her  divine  embraces.    Love  of  mine  — 

ASTUPHELI  —  As  thou  art  Love  of  mine! 

NIMROD.  This  miraged  love, 

So  sweet,  so  fair,  with  such  seductiveness, 
Would  by  substantiation  grow  divine. 
Why  should  we  look  on  loving  as  a  dream, 
A  vision  born  of  dimly-seen  desire, 
Instead  of  finding  it  the  centre  of  the  real, 
The  concrete  form  of  highest  happiness  ? 

ASTUPHELI  —  My  father  will  not  have  it  so. 

NIMROD  —  (rebelliously)  The  King! 

I  have  remained  as  true  to  Astrael 
As  any  slave  who  knows  his  daily  task 
And  is  too  labor-worn  to  see  beyond  it. 
But  neither  king,  nor  priest,  nor  any  man 
Shall  say  he  "  will  not  have  "  what  I  do  choose! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (reproachfully  and  a  little  indignantly,  though 
with  great  gentleness)     He  is  my  Father,  Nimrod ! 

NIMROD  —  (turning  the  phrase  with  instant  readiness)  Won- 
derful! 
So  rare  a  gem  from  merely  kingly  source 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  29 

When  earth,  sea,  sky  and  fire  might  all  have  joined 
The  fairest  of  their  powers  in  one  accord 
To  bring  the  dawn  in  maiden  form,  in  thee. 
(Soldier  clashes  spear  against  his  shield) 
Who  now? 

SOLDIER.  En-Tur,  my  lord. 

NIMROD.  He  may  come  in. 

(Enter  EN  -  TUR.    He  makes  an  uncouth  obeisance  to 
the  princess,  then  walks  to  where  NIMROD  is  standing) 

EN  -  TUR  —  The  second  priest,  Mitura.     Lord,  shall  I 
Forbid  him  entrance? 

NIMROD.  To  his  own  temple? 

No.    Withdraw  thy  guards. 

(Exit  EN-TUR 

(Turning  to  ASTUPHELI)     These  joys  are  ever  brief. 
Farewell,  my  Love! 

(They  embrace  and  ASTUPHELI  walks  to  one  of  the  side 
entrances} 

ASTUPHELI.  My  Lord  and  Love,  farewell ! 

(Lingers  a  moment,  then  as  soldier's  step  is  heard,  leaves 
hastily) 

(Exit  ASTUPHELI 
(Enter  EN  -  TUR  from  the  opposite  side) 

EN  -  TUR  —  Prospers  thy  suit,  my  Lord  ? 

NIMROD  —  (placing  his  hand  in  a  friendly  manner  on  EN- 
TUR'S  shoulder)  So  well,  En-Tur, 

That  thou  had'st  better  pick  a  score  of  men, 
Not  only  brave  but  silent,  keen  of  wit, 
Able  to  strike  and  able  to  keep  still. 
Post  them  within  the  Temple.    At  all  times 
Let  some  be  ready  there,  for  I  may  need 
A  hasty  wedding  with  the  naked  blades 
For  marriage  lights.    Let  no  one  know  of  this. 


30  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

EN  -  TUR  —  A  wedding  to  the  clash  of  swords!    To  me 
It  is  the  bravest  music  ever  heard.    My  Lord, 
It  shall  be  done. 

(Steps  back  as  NIMROD  turns  to  leave.  As  the  latter 
passes  toward  the  great  altar,  ike  soldiers  at  the  various 
curtained  entrances ,  in  obedience  to  a  gesture  from  EN- 
TUR,  leave  their  places  and  approach,  forming  a  line 
of  three  on  either  side,  through  which  NIMROD  passes 
thoughtfully,  the  soldiers  following  him) 

(Exit  NIMROD  and  soldiers 

There  is  a  warrior! 

He  should  be  king.    These  smooth-tongued  priests 
Make  my  hands  itch,  even  when  weaponless  — 
(Enter  MITURA,  accompanied  by  an  attendant) 

MITURA  —  Why  art  thou  here,  En-Tur? 

EN  -  TUR.  On  soldiers'  matters. 

MITURA  —  They  told  me  Princess  Astupheli  came 

To  make  her  offering  at  the  Moon-shrine. 

Has  she  been  here? 

EN  -  TUR.  She  has. 

MITURA.  A  curt  reply. 

Where  is  she  now? 

EN  -  TUR.  The  princess  left  no  message. 

MITURA  —  Go,  tell  her  that  I  wait. 

EN  -  TUR.  A  weary  stay 

If  thou  dost  wait  till  I  become  thy  messenger. 

MITURA  —  (turning  to  the  attendant) 

Tell  the  princess  I  have  a  message  from  the  king. 

(Exit  ATTENDANT 
(Turns  to  EN-TUR)    Almost  thou  angerest  me. 

EN  -  TUR.  Would  that  I  could ! 

I'd  love  to  see  thee  angry!    Thou  art  stopped 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  31 

On  thine  own  temple  threshold,  shamed,  defied, 
And  thou  art  almost  angry!    Even  a  cur 
Will  snarl  over  a  bone.    Fury  to  thee 
Would  mean  to  whine  and  cry  and  stamp  thy  feet! 
God!    That  a  thing  which  could  have  been  a  man, 
Should  turn  a  priest  and  sink  to  spineless  craven! 
{Enter  ASTUPHELI  while  EN  -  TUR  is  speaking,  un- 
perceived  by  the  soldier) 

ASTUPHELI  —  (rebukingly)     En-Tur,  it  is  no  soldier's  part 
to  fight  with  words. 

EN  -  TUR  —  I  would  not  disadvantage  him,  Princess, 

He  has  no  other  weapons.    And  the  words  were  hot, 
Molten,  and  poured  upon  the  anvil  of  the  tongue. 
(Makes  a  clumsy  reverence.    Exit  EN  -  TUR 

ASTUPHELI  —  Thou  hast  a  message  for  me  from  the  king? 

MITURA  —  I  have  a  message  from  a  higher  source, 
The  stars! 

ASTUPHELI.  You  read  of  me  in  them? 

MITURA.  Of  thee! 

Four  times,  sweet  Astupheli,  have  I  told 
My  love  for  thee,  and  nought  received  but  jest, 
Thine  answer  —  laughter,  neither  "  yes  "  nor  "  no." 

ASTUPHELI  —  Where  for  my  laughter  could   I   find- more 

cause  ? 
Thou  would'st  not  chain  my  laughter,  Mitura? 

MITURA  —  In  days  gone  by  I  shared  thy  merriment! 

ASTUPHELI  —  The  dreams  of  days  gone  by  have  lost  their 

spell. 

Dreams  are  so  gossamer  a  fabric  that  the  years 
Touch  them  unkindly,  their  substance  wastes  away. 

MITURA  —  We  were  together  always,  you  and  I. 


32  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

ASTUPHELI  —  To  laugh  unthinkingly  in  baby-plays, 
To  challenge  numbers,  pass  the  colored  skein, 
Is  childhood's  pastime;  but  to  tread  on  blooms, 
My  hand  in  thine,  the  bells  upon  my  feet, 
Betokens  deeper  purposes;  it  spells  our  fates, 
'Tis  not  for  jest,  this  pretty  marriage  play. 

MITURA  —  (pleadingly}     Yet,  Astupheli,  thou  didst  like  me 
then. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Liking  is  to  Love  as  lamp  to  Sun; 
The  one  is  but  a  comfort  in  the  dark, 
The  other  is  the  light  of  life  itself. 
And  though  I  liked  thee  thousandfold  more  well 
One  thousand  lamps  will  never  make  one  Sun. 

MITURA  —  Oftentimes,  Astupheli,  liking  turns  to  Love 
If  fostered  by  a  mutual  interest! 

ASTUPHELI  —  Will  common  cactus  grow  to  Lotus-bud 
If  planted  in  a  garden-robed  lagoon  ? 
Will  sun-baked  brick  shine  as  a  radiant  gem 
If  placed  within  the  treasure-house  of  kings  ? 
How  then  can  liking,  mere  condition-born, 
Be  changed  to  Love?    A  state  so  beautiful 
That  even  gods  cannot  create  it  twice! 

MITURA  —  (sadly)    I  had  thy  promise  once ! 

ASTUPHELI.  Only  in  that  strange  world 

Of  infancy,  whither  is  no  return 
Nor  even  memory  of  inner  self.    Long  years 
We  live  there,  every  year  a  dozen  years 
Of  later  counting,  and  each  year  we  lose 
Our  sense  of  venture.    The  great  leaps  of  thought 
By  which  we  reach  to  childhood's  plane  are  lost, 
Our  daring  flights  into  the  uncharted  air 
Of  half-seen  fancies  and  of  vague  ideals 
Change  to  slow  groping  round  accustomed  walls. 


SCENE  2  N  I  M  R  O  D  33 

The  childhood  world  where  once  we  made  those  vows 
Has  faded  and  we  cannot  reach  its  shores  again. 

MITURA  —  Those  vows  can  be  renewed,  the  stars  of  love 
Shine  on  thy  fate. 

ASTUPHELI.  So  I  interpret  them, 

But  we  read  different  meanings  in  their  beams. 

MITURA  —  (arrogantly)    That  is  for  me  to  read.     I  am  the 
Mage. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (annoyed  by  this  assumption  of  superior  judg- 
ment, and  speaking  with  a  shade  of  irony  in  her 
voice) 
The  temple  knows  thy  skill. 

MITURA  —  (not  perceiving  the  irony  and  plunging  deeper  into 

disfavor)  It  has  good  reason, 

And  when  the  gods  decree,  all  must  obey. 
I  read  the  stars  that  thou  shalt  marry  me 
Before  this  moon  is  old. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (very  calmly)  I  read  not  so. 

MITURA  —  I  do  declare  it! 

ASTUPHELI.  Desire  oft  blinds  judgment. 

Though  all  the  hosts  of  heaven  should  illumine 
Thy  bold  insistence,  still  should  I  answer  "  No!  " 

MITURA  —  Then  must  I  speak  in  terms  of  harsh  compulsion, 
The  king  has  promised,  and  thou  must  be  wed. 

ASTUPHELI  —  No  one  can  promise  in  another's  name; 
To  the  king  my  father  will  I  answer  "  No!  " 

MITURA  —  The  priests  have  ways  to  change  a  maiden's 
coyness ! 

ASTUPHELI  —  Darest  thou  threaten  me?    Hiding  thy  cow- 
ardice 
Behind  the  priests  and  using  my  father's  name? 


34  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

Threaten!    And  Mitura  will  forfeit  every  claim 
To  manliness.    Be  warned.     It  cannot  be. 

MITURA  —  (showing  a  sudden  anger  and  striding  forward) 
I  have  a  rival? 

ASTUPHELI.  He  is  so  far  above  thee 

Thou  canst  not  even  call  him  "  rival." 

MITURA  —  Then  thou  dost  love  ? 

ASTUPHELI.  Not  thee! 

MITURA.  His  name? 

ASTUPHELI  —  Thou  hast  no  right  to  ask,  yet  for  my  pride 
In  him  I  love  so  well,  I  answer  thee. 
When  I  shall  bid  farewell  to  maiden's  ways, 
My  feet  shall  ring  in  loving  reverence 
To  Nimrod,  captain  of  my  lord  the  king. 

MITURA  —  (evincing  the  most  undisguised  amazement  at  this 

disclosure) 
Nimrod ! 

ASTUPHELI.  My  lord  Nimrod. 

MITURA.  He  is  not  even  born 

Of  royal  line!    He  is  not  a  Chaldee! 
He  is  a  stranger,  blown  here  by  some  chance  gust 
Of  fortune!    Where  is  thy  pride  of  race? 
Thou  canst  not  dream  of  such  a  marriage ! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (scornfully)  And  thou 

Art  skilled  in  mysteries !    If  in  the  dust 
I  find  an  eagle's  feather,  shall  I  say 
No  eagle  would  fly  over  such  a  spot, 
This  feather,  though  it  seem  of  eagle  breed, 
Must  drop  from  carrion  crow?    If  I  discern 
A  sacred  flower  in  a  weedy  pool 
Shall  I  deny  its  grace  because  it  dwells 
Where  none  can  lavish  worship? 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  35 

MITURA.  But  the  King  — 

ASTUPHELI  —  My  father  needs  no  herald  to  his  child. 

MITURA  —  Thou  must  obey! 

(A  rapid  step  is  heard,  accompanied  by  the  clanking  of 
armor,  and  one  of  the  curtains  at  the  entrance  near  the 
great  altar  is  drawn  back  hastily.  ASTUPHELI  and 
MITURA  turn.) 

(Enter  GILVAR  -  UR,  evidently  not  expecting  to  find 
anyone  in  the  Temple.  He  halts  suddenly,  on  seeing 
ASTUPHELI  and  MITURA  and  looks  from  one  to  the 
other,  realizing  that  he  has  broken  in  upon  a  strained 
situation) 

ASTUPHELI.  Welcome,  Lord  Gilvar-Ur, 

Thou  comest  opportunely.    Be  thou  my  witness 
That  I  have  answered  Lord  Mitura's  suit. 
(Turns  to  MITURA) 

This  is  my  word :  That  Astupheli  scorns 
Thy  readings  of  the  stars  and  thy  compulsion. 
The  daughter  of  a  king  and  line  of  kings 
Knows  naught  of  "  shall  "  and  has  not  heard  of 

"  must! " 

Thyself  I  do  despise,  thy  threats  I  scorn. 
Thy  presence  is  an  insult.  Go! 
(MITURA  steps  forward  as  though  about  to  make  a 
vindictive  reply,  but  before  he  speaks,  GILVAR-UR 
suddenly  drops  the  butt  of  his  spear  upon  the  floor  with 
a  ringing  crash  and  MITURA  half-turns.  He  encoun- 
ters the  gaze  of  GILVAR  -  UR  and  realizes  that  the  ani- 
mosity^ between  the  soldiers  and  the  priests  would  blaze 
forth  instantly  if  he  insulted  ASTUPHELI  by  a  word. 
He  stands  sullenly  a  moment,  then  turns  away,  leaving 
by  one  of  the  smaller  entrances') 

(Exit  MITURA 
Lord  Gilvar-Ur, 
I  hold  you  as  a  friend! 


36  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

GILVAR  -  UR.  Earth  holds  no  richer  guerdon, 

Here  I  swear  — 

ASTUPHELI.  There  is  no  time!    Be  deeds  thy  vows! 

All  hangs  on  moments.    Bring  Lord  Nimrod  here, 
Tell  him  that  Mitura  has  threatened  me. 
Thou  heardest  my  last  answer.    I  am  lost 
Unless  he  comes  here  quickly. 

GILVAR  -  UR  —  (grasping  the  situation  instantly)     You  are 

betrothed! 

And  have  defied  the  priests ! 

( Turns  sharply  on  his  heel  and  hurries  to  the  nearest 
entrance.  Just  as  he  is  about  to  raise  his  hand  to  draw 
aside  the  curtain,  it  is  moved  and  a  priest  steps  out, 
others  showing  behind  him) 

The  priests! 

(Walks  sharply  to  another  entrance,  where  the  same 
occurs,  and  to  the  main  entrances,  where  as  he  draws 
back  the  curtains,  ranks  of  priests  are  seen  in  waiting) 

More  priests! 

(Draws  bronze  sword  and  walks  back  quietly  to  where 
ASTUPHELI  is  standing) 

In  open  field,  Princess,  some  chance  might  be, 
But  in  this  trap,  to  rush  on  death  would  serve 
No  useful  purpose. 

(Enter  ASTRAEL,  white  with  rage.  He  is  closely  fol- 
lowed by  MITURA  and  CAL  -  ERECH.  The  priests 
remain  grouped  about  the  several  entrances,  thus 
preventing  the  escape  of  GILVAR  -  UR) 

ASTRAEL.  What  tale  is  this  I  hear 

Of  Nimrod  and  of  thee? 

(Suddenly  notices  GILVAR  -  UR  standing  with  drawn 
sword  by  the  side  of  ASTUPHELI) 

LordGilvar-Ur! 
A  friend  of  Nimrod  here!    Then  thou  dost  know? 


SCENE  2  N  I  M  R  O  D  37 

GILVAR  -  UR.  Great  king, 

I  know! 

ASTRAEL.  Secrets  of  kings  must  be  forgotten! 

Take  him  to  silence! 

(GILVAR  -  UR  sheathes  his  sword  as  a  number  of  the 
priests  surround  him,  his  captors  drawing  their  sacri- 
ficial knives  from  their  girdles.  He  makes  no  resist- 
ance and  is  led  toward  one  of  the  smaller  entrances. 
Just  as  they  reach  the  curtain  he  turns) 

GILVAR  -  UR.  Is  it  death,  O  King? 

ASTRAEL  —  (struggling  for  composure)    I  have  not  said. 
(GILVAR  -  UR  salutes  and  is  led  out  by  the  priests) 

(Exit  GILVAR  -  UR 

(The   king   turns   to   ASTUPHELI)      Thou   wilt   wed 
Mitura! 

ASTUPHELI  —  I  have  refused  him. 

ASTRAEL  —  (speaking  as  a  command)    Thou  shalt  wed  Mi- 
tura! 
My  royal  word  is  given. 

ASTUPHELI.  And  my  word, 

No  whit  less  royal.  Father,  has  been  pledged 
To  Nimrod,  captain  of  my  lord  the  King. 

ASTRAEL  —  (losing  control  of  himself  and  storming  to  and  fro) 
Word!    Troth!    Thine!    Nimrod's! 
(Strides  threateningly  towards  her) 

Devils  eat  his  heart! 
Grant  me,  ye  gods,  that  kites  may  fatten  on  him 

soon! 

If  on  the  "battlefield  he  is  not  slain. 
The  hands  of  kings  reach  far  and  Nimrod  dies. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (showing  fear)     Thou  would'st  not  stoop  to 

such  a  base  revenge! 
Think  of  thine  honor  as  a  king! 


38  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

ASTRAEL.  My  honor  is  mine  own! 

ASTUPHELI  —  It  is  thy  daughter's  also;  thy  pride  is  mine. 
Wilt  thou,  by  one  ignoble  action,  sweep  away 
The  royalty  of  thine  own  majesty? 

ASTRAEL  —  (scornfully)     Thy  pride!     How  darest  thou  to 

speak  of  pride? 
Coupling  thy  name  with  this  base-born  adventurer! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (surprised)     Base-born! 

(There  is  such  evidence  of  hidden  knowledge  in  her 
tone  that  ASTRAEL  falls  back  in  consternation.  The 
princess  is  equally  astonished  and  the  two  stare  at  one 
another  for  a  moment.  Then  ASTUPHELI  guesses  at 
the  truth) 

Hadst  thou  forgotten  that  I  knew  his  birth? 

ASTRAEL  —  (in  a  hoarse  whisper)    Who  told  thee? 
ASTUPHELI  —  Thou  didst  thyself! 
ASTRAEL.  When? 

ASTUPHELI.  Many  years  ago, 

When  Nimrod  was  my  sturdy  playfellow 
And  I  had  only  just  begun  to  speak. 
Thou  saidst  but  little,  I  have  learned  the  rest; 
Nimrod  and  I  have  proved  that  all  is  true. 

ASTRAEL  —  He  knows  the  secret? 

ASTUPHELI.  Else  he  could  not  ask 

My  troth,  nor  plight  his  own.    Am  I  not  royal-born? 

ASTRAEL  —  (in  fearful  anger)     Ten  thousand  curses  on  all 

loose-hinged  tongues 
That  willingly  will  wreck  a  dynasty 
For  the  brief  transports  of  a  youthful  love. 

ASTUPHELI  —  I  would  put  love  above  all  things  on  earth, 
Above  the  crown,  above  the  dynasty, 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  39 

Above  self-happiness,  above  the  gods, 

Since  these  are  but  the  parts  of  that  great  love 

Which  is  Life's  best  excuse  to  us  for  Life. 

ASTRAEL  —  Put  love  above  the  dynasty?    Mad!    Mad! 
Thy  brain  is  turned. 

(Turns  to  CAL  -  ERECH)    The  princess  is  in  pain, 
She  raves!    Some  malady  hath  smitten  her. 
Let  her  be  closely  watched.     No  word  must  pass 
That  can  reach  Nimrod  ere  he  march  away. 
(CAL  -  ERECH  and  another  priest  place  themselves  on 
either  side  of  ASTUPHELI  and  gently  urge  her  on.    She 
looks  round  despairingly   but  her  glances  encounter 
none  but  those  oj  priests) 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  The  halls  are  filled  with  priests.    'Tis  vain 

to  cry. 

(ASTUPHELI,  seeing  the  uselessness  of  struggle,  submits 
to  be  led  away,  but  she  begins  an  appeal) 

ASTUPHELI  —  Father  — 

ASTRAEL.  It  is  the  King  who  is  thy  father! 

(Exit  ASTUPHELI  and  CAL  -  ERECH 

MITURA  —  (desiring  to  turn  the  Kings  attention  away  from 

the  scene  with  ASTUPHELI) 
Truly  thou  art  the  King!    How  all  the  people 
Greeted  with  acclamation  thy  appearing! 
Only  last  night  they  clamored  in  rebellion, 
To-day  they  worship  once  again. 

ASTRAEL  —  (gratified)  I  moved  them ! 

MITURA  —  Thy  words  were  Fate,  they  fell  with  measured 

power 

Resistless.     Inexorable  as  the  march  of  Time 
Phrase  built  on  phrase  and  prophecy  on  prophecy 
Till  doubt  and  disloyalty  dared  not  be. 

ASTRAEL  —  Even  the  soldiery  gave  voice! 


40  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

MITURA.  That  was  the  thrill  of  war! 

With  victory  abroad  and  peace  at  home 
We  may  accomplish  all  our  purposes. 
(Enter  CAL  -  ERECH,  he  steps  directly  to  the  king) 

ASTRAEL  —  The  princess  is  recovered  ? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (blandly)  She  is  fatigued, 

But  guarded  from  unwelcome  importunity 
She  will  rest  undisturbed. 

(While  CAL  -  ERECH  is  speaking,  a  young  priest  who 
has  been  standing  near  one  of  the  entrances  steps  for- 
ward and  whispers  to  MITURA,  who  in  turn  looks  to 
ASTRAEL  with  a  puzzled,  anxious  expression) 

MITURA.  O  Lord  and  King, 

Lord  En-Tur,  with  a  message,  waits  without. 
Thou  wilt  not  see  him? 

ASTRAEL.  We  will  hear  his  message. 

(Enter  EN  -  TUR.  His  step  is  hurried  and  he  speaks 
impatiently) 

EN  -  TUR  —  My  Lord  and  King,  Lord  Nimrod  bade  me  say 
That  in  less  time  than  hunting  cheetah  spends 
To  seize  his  prey,  the  army  starts  to  march. 
I  am  his  herald.     He  wishes  speech  with  thee. 

ASTRAEL  —  I  cannot  see  him  now. 

EN  -  TUR.  My  Lord  and  King 

He  did  not  ask  me  to  bring  back  an  answer, 
He  only  bade  me  herald  his  approach. 
He  wishes  speech  with  thee. 

ASTRAEL.  Will  he  then  force  his  way? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (urgently,  in  an  aside  to  the  king) 

Hear  him,  and  let  him  go!    We  cannot  risk  delay! 
(NIMROD'S  voice  is  heard,  giving  commanding  orders  of 
rebuke) 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  41 

NIMROD  —  (outside  the  Temple  chamber)     Stand     back,     ye 
priests ! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  We  must  not  seem  thus  to  oppose  his  com- 
ing! 

(Loudly)    Admit  Lord  Nimrod. 
(Enter  NIMROD.    He  is  in  battle-armor  oj  the  ancient 
Babylonian  type,  richly  inlaid) 

NIMROD.  Thrice  ten  thousand  men 

Await  the  word  to  march!    King  Astrael, 
Before  I  leave,  remains  there  aught  to  say? 

ASTRAEL  —  My  Lord,  the  conquest  must  be  absolute, 
The  Cities  of  the  Plain  must  be  subdued, 
Pay  homage,  render  tribute  and  forswear 
All  worship  save  to  Eridhu's  great  gods. 

NIMROD  —  Conquest  I  will  achieve,  the  Plains  subdue, 
Secure  the  Cities'  homage  and  their  tribute  win, 
But  do  not  rob  them  of  their  faith  and  hope ! 
Let  them  retain  their  gods! 

ASTRAEL.  What  carest  thou  for  gods? 

Deal  thou  with  sieges,  battlefields  and  camps, 
Confine  thy  sentiment  to  strategy! 

NIMROD  —  (nettled)     Are  then  the  stars  informants  of  my 

mind  ? 

Of  armies  only  must  I  speak  to  thee? 
A  soldier's  mind  may  think  on  priestly  things, 
A  priestly  mind  may  ponder  bloody  things. 
Yet  —  thou  art  King  and  thou  shalt  be  obeyed. 
One  further  word  —  when  I  return  a  conqueror, 
I  shall  ask  speech  with  thee.    Thy  daughter's  hand 
Is  fitting  guerdon  for  my  victories. 

ASTRAEL  —  When  thou  returnest  I  will  hear  thy  suit. 
I  pledge  my  word. 

NIMROD.  Nor  shall  another  sue? 


42  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  I 

ASTRAEL  —  (pointedly)    Till  thou  returnest  victor   of   the 

Plain, 

No  other  suitor  to  my  daughter's  hand 
Save  him  who  here  within  this  place  this  day 
I  have  considered,  if  victorious, 
Shall  have  a  hearing. 

(Nods  slightly  to  MITURA,  then  turns  to  NIMROD  with 
assumed  frankness) 

Thou  art  satisfied? 

NIMROD  —  The  King's  word  is  an  oath.    (Salutes)    O  King, 
farewell ! 

(Exit  NIMROD  and  EN  -  TUR) 

ASTRAEL  —  (turning  to  MITURA  as  the  sound  of  NIMROD'S 

steps  dies  away  in  the  distance) 
Thou  hearest,  Mitura,  the  King's  word  is  an  oath! 

MITURA  —  (in  alarm)    Thy  promise  was  to  me! 
ASTRAEL.  The  King's  oath  is  to  thee! 

(Curtain) 
End  ACT  I 


ACT  II 


ACT  II,  SCENE  i 

SCENE  —  The  market-place  of  Plat-livat,  the  largest  of  the 
Cities  of  the  Plain,  which  has  just  surrendered  to  NIM- 
ROD.  The  market-place,  which,  as  customary  with 
cities  of  the  period,  also  was  the  Square  of  Judgment, 
stands  just  inside  the  city  gates.  At  the  back  are  seen 
the  wall  and  gates,  each  with  a  high  watchman's  turret 
beside  it,  the  turret  by  the  left  gate  having  been  half- 
demolished  by  a  huge  stone  flung  from  a  catapult, 
which  stone,  together  with  the  debris  of  the  turret,  lies 
at  its  base.  The  other  tower  is  whole.  The  gates  are 
open,  and  one,  partly  shattered,  is  almost  torn  from  its 
hinges.  Through  the  open  gates  is  seen  the  fertile 
valley  of  the  Euphrates,  with  the  river  in  the  distance 
crossed  by  a  bridge  of  boats.  Beside  the  road  leading 
to  the  bridge  are  pitched  the  rough  tents  of  NIMROD'S 
army,  which  has  besieged  and  taken  the  city. 

On  either  side  of  the  market-place  are  houses,  in 
various  stages  of  demolition,  the  sun-baked  brick  of 
which  they  were  made  lying  in  heaps  about  the  square. 
Around  the  Judgment  Seat,  near  the  uninjured  turret, 
it  is  evident  that  a  bitter  fight  has  waged,  for  many 
bodies  lie  around  it,  and  across  the  seat  itself,  which 
has  been  overturned  during  the  struggle,  is  stretched  the 
body  of  a  man.  A  large  catapult  stone  lies  in  the  centre 
of  the  market-place,  evidently  having  crushed  one  of  the 
defenders  in  its  fall,  for  a  part  of  the  body  protrudes 
from  under  it.  Broken  arrows,  spear-heads  and  cleft 
shields  are  scattered  about  this  scene  of  recent  carnage. 
The  Time  is  Afternoon. 

45 


46  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

As  the  curtain  rises,  the  HERMIT,  closely  followed  by 
two  soldiers  of  NIMROD'S  army,  as  captors,  enters  the 
market-place  from  one  of  the  city  streets.  EN  -  TUR 
stands  near  the  stone  in  the  centre  of  the  stage  and  he 
is  blood-stained  from  head  to  foot.  His  armor  is  badly 
hacked  and  his  shoulder  is  roughly  bandaged.  He  leans 
on  his  spear  wearily  and  faces  the  HERMIT  as  the  latter 
is  brought  in. 

HERMIT  —  (pointing  to  the  corpses  near  the  judgment  seat 
and  speaking  accusingly  and  with  bitter  irony) 

Here  are  a  monarch's  triumphs!  Every  stiffened 
form, 

With  staring  eyeball  glazed  and  lustreless, 

Speaks  of  King  Astrael ! 

EN  -  TUR.  Death  is  the  mate  of  War, 

No  matter  how  restrained.    Never  was  field 
More  merciful! 

HERMIT.  And  yet,  only  last  night 

These  lived.    Courage  was  theirs,  and  hope, 
The  simple  human  passions,  the  high  aims 
And  all  the  thrill  of  deeds  yet  to  be  done. 
To-day  —  the  vultures  gather  in  the  sky. 

EN  -  TUR  —  Theirs  was  a  soldier's  death ! 

HERMIT.  Which  means  a  useless  one. 

EN  -  TUR  —  They  died  with  honor,  Hermit.    None  do  more ! 

HERMIT  —  (sneeringly)  This  was  the  fate  to  which  their 
honor  brought  them! 

EN  -  TUR  —  Fetter  thy  curst  ill-omened   tongue  or  thou 

shalt  find 

I  am  less  generous  than  Nimrod.    When  he  bade 
That  I  should  set  thee  free  into  the  wilderness 
With  one  full  water-skin  and  two  days'  food, 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  47 

I  questioned  not  his  orders.     But  I  swear 

Thou  shalt  go  tongueless  if  thou  defame  the  dead. 

HERMIT  —  They  were  thine  enemies ! 

EN  -  TUR.  They  are  dead  comrades  now 

As  I  have  learned  from  Nimrod. 
(Points  to  the  two  soldiers  that  have  been  standing  by) 

These  are  thy  guides. 

HERMIT  —  At  least  there  are  no  tyrants  in  the  wilderness ! 

EN  -  TUR  —  Hunger  shall  be  thy  master,  his  stern  rule 

Brooks  no  revolt.    Though  thou  didst  traitorously 

warn 

The  Cities  of  the  Plain,  thou  hast  escaped  a  death 
That  thou  deservest  richly.  Go! 

HERMIT  —  (throwing  up  his  arms  with  a  frantic  gesture) 
Woe!     Woe! 

EN  -  TUR  —  (striding  angrily  towards  him) 

Wilt  thou  be  silent!     Dost  thou  wish  my  lord 
To  find  thee  here?    Not  twice  wilt  thou  escape! 

HERMIT  —  (being  half-dragged  to  the  gate,  as  the  sound  of  a 

body  of  men  approaching  is  heard) 
I  go!    But  leave  my  curse  — 

(At  a  sign  from  EN  -  TUR  one  of  the  soldiers  puts  his 
hand  over  the  HERMIT'S  mouth,  and  harshly  silenced 
thus,  the  HERMIT  and  the  soldiers  pass  through  the  city 
gate) 

(Exit  HERMIT 

EN  -  TUR.  Curses  from  such  as  he 

Do  little  hurt.    But  words  can  give  a  wound. 
I  would  not  wish  a  curse  from  old  Enochael. 
(While  he  is  speaking,  a  band  of  soldiers  files  in,  war- 
beaten  but  flushed  with  victory,  laden  with  the  spoils 
of  conquest.     They  form  a  rude  line  and  some  of  them 


48  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

gather  about  the  overturned  Judgment  Seat,  setting  it 
upright) 

(Enter  NIMROD) 

NIMROD  —  (glancing  round  and  speaking  inquiringly  to  EN- 

TUR) 

I  thought  I  heard  that  Hermit's  voice  again, 
With  his  wild  cry  of  "  Woe!  " 

EN  -  TUR.  He  has  just  fled. 

I  would  have  stricken  out  his  evil  tongue 
And  made  him  harmless! 

NIMROD.  There  is  suffering  enough 

Without  our  adding  to  the  sum,  En-Tur. 
The  clash  of  arms  and  clamor-cries  of  war 
Wake  not  the  music  in  my  heart  which  once 
They  used  to  do,  the  strings  are  not  in  tune 
For  such  harsh  harmony. 

EN  -  TUR.  Where  is  a  sound  more  sweet 

Than  rattling  death  cry  in  a  foeman's  throat? 
My  Lord,  I  know  naught  sweeter! 

NIMROD.  Grim  hound  of  war, 

What  battle-loving  Amazon  was  thy  nurse? 
Surely  thou  never  didst  drink  milk  as  babe 
But  clutched  at  the  breast  with  tiny  bruising  gripe 
And  cried  for  blood  to  quench  thy  infant  thirst! 
In  mimic  war  didst  thou  thy  childhood  spend 
That  thou  in  youth  didst  seek  the  battlefield? 

EN  -  TUR  —  (proudly)    My  father  fought  beside  the  former 
king. 

NIMROD  —  He  was  a  hero,  well  I  know  the  tale. 
But  thou  hast  far  outdone  his  love  of  war, 
Thine  eyes  are  color-blind,  the  universe 
Would  only  seem  desirable  to  thee 
If  thou  couldst  see  the  heavens  raining  blood, 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  49 

And   the  trees,   stripped  of  their  leaves,   made  to 

appear 
The  fleshless  skeletons  of  all  thy  foes! 

EN  -  TUR  —  Should  not  a  warrior  love  warfare,  Lord  ? 

NIMROD  —  There  are  more  noble  loves  than  battle-lust. 
The  only  joy  I  have  in  all  these  victories 
Is  that  they  bring  me  nearer  to  my  goal, 
The  princess  Astupheli  and  my  love. 

EN  -  TUR  —  A  noble  maiden !     In  the  Temple  hall 
It  seemed  to  me  she  walked  most  soldierly. 

NIMROD  —  (laughing)     With  chest  thrown  back  and  strut 

of  drill-field  —  so! 

( Takes  a  jew  steps  in  imitation  of  a  precise  soldier  in 
full  armor  and  Self-conscious  of  his  appearance) 
A  swagger  of  the  shoulder? 
(Returns  to  EN  -  TUR  smilingly)    Good  En-Tur, 
Thy  compliments  would  never  make  her  vain. 
Nay,  rather,  say  she  walked  as  goddess  might 
With  grace  of  motion  like  to  waving  corn 
Where  every  ear  throws  forth  a  differing  gleam 
Yet  all  bend  gracefully  before  the  breeze. 
So  she  to  every  movement  gives  new  grace 
And  renders  grace  itself  more  wonderful. 

EN  -  TUR  —  My  Lord,  thou  art  in  love  with  her! 

NIMROD.  Truly,  good  friend. 

I  love  her  love  and  love  her  loveliness, 
Since  loving  lends  more  loveliness  to  love 
And  loving  loveliness  makes  lovely  love. 

EN  -  TUR  —  What  profits  it  to  love  unless  thou  weddest? 

To  love,  and  not  to  wed  the  girl  that  thou  dost  love 
Is  like  to  drill  and  never  see  the  foe. 
Thou  lovest?    So!    Then  marry!    But,  my  lord, 
How  canst  thou  wed  the  princess? 


50  NIMROD  ACT  II 

NIMROD.  And  why  not? 

EN  -  TUR  — ,Thou  art  not  royal  and  the  princess  is. 
NIMROD  —  Am  I  not  royal  ?    What  say  they  of  my  birth  ? 

EN  -  TUR  —  That  thou  wert  rescued  by  King  Astrael 
Just  as  a  lion  was  about  to  seize  thee! 

NIMROD  —  (scornfully)     The  royal  beast  was  dead. 
EN- TUR.  Dead? 

NIMROD.  A  war-spear 

Was  buried  in  his  heart. 

EN  -  TUR  —  (with  amazement)        But  none  save  kings 
May  hunt  the  lion! 

NIMROD.  As  the  king  reached  the  place, 

Leaped  to  his  feet  a  boy  scarce  three  years  old, 
And,  leaning  on  the  lion's  mane,  he  waved 
A  toy  spear  made  from  an  arrow  shaft 
And  threatened  Astrael. 

EN  -  TUR.  It  was  an  omen. 

NIMROD  —  Seeing  no  peasant's  brat  in  such  defiance, 
King  Astrael  withdrew  the  heavy  war-spear 
And  found  engraved  upon  the  blade  and  shaft 
The  triple  snake  of  Astu-men-ephat! 

EN  -  TUR  —  (excitedly)     The  spear  of  Cush,  that  mighty 
conqueror, 

Whose  triple  snake  hissed  over  all  the  world? 

His  son  was  lost,  and  thou  —  ? 
NIMROD.  Shall  I  not  wed 

The  princess  Astupheli? 

EN  -  TUR.  Surely,  Lord, 

But  why  withhold  the  secret? 
NIMROD.  I  did  not  know 

Until  I  wooed  sweet  Astupheli. 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  51 

EN-TUR.  Tis  strange! 

Why  should  the  princess  know?    King  Astrael 
Should  have  reserved  such  secret  to  himself. 

NIMROD  —  When  we  were  playmates,  in  some  childish  jest 
I  angered  Astupheli,  and  the  girl 
Ran  to  her  father,  crying,  "  Kill  the  slave!  " 
The  king,  desiring  that  the  child  should  live 
With  someone  as  her  equal,  thus  to  curb 
Haughtiness  growing  from  orders  never  checked, 
Hinted  the  story  of  my  parentage. 

EN  -  TUR  —  He  does  not  know  that  thou  hast  ever  heard? 

NIMROD  —  Not  yet.     When  I  return  in  triumph  he  shall 
know. 

EN  -  TUR  —  (thoughtfully)  I  cannot  see  why  he  should  have 
let  thee  live. 

NIMROD  —  I  think  he  feared  lest  Astu-men-ephat 

Should  rise  rebellious,  then  he  could  make  claim 
That  he  had  saved  and  helped  their  king,  and  thus 
Could  hold  the  country  as  a  protectorate. 

EN  -  TUR  —  Then  thou  art  king  of  Astu-men-ephat, 
Though  only  trained  as  soldier. 

NIMROD.  I  have  the  lore, 

The  old  Chaldean  wisdom,  for  Astupheli, 
Who  is  most  deeply  skilled,  has  taught  me  all. 

EN  -  TUR  —  Why  not  dethrone  the  king? 

NIMROD.  He  is  her  father! 

(Soldier  enters,  salutes  NIMROD,  then  steps  up  to  EN- 
TUR  and  speaks  in  an  aside.  EN  -  TUR  nods  and 
motions  him  away) 

EN  -  TUR  —  My  Lord,  the  conquered  queen  requests  an  au- 
dience, 


52  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

She  bade  her  captain  in  their  temple  shrine 
Prepare  to  make  a  stand  against  our  host. 
Thy  orders  were  that  we  should  hold  from  slaugh- 
ter, 
Make  captives  and  not  corpses. 

NIMROD.  Thus  I  said. 

EN  -  TUR  —  I  pledged  my  word  if  they  laid  down  their 

arms 
That  thou  would'st  hear  her  plea. 

NIMROD.  Let  her  be  brought ! 

If  in  the  courts  of  priests  stern  justice  hides  her  face, 
The  open  air  of  battlefields  affords 
An  opportunity  to  truth  and  equity. 
(The  soldier  salutes  and  leaves  by  the  street  leading  to 
the  city.     Other  soldiers,  those  who  had  entered  with 
NIMROD,  move  the  heavy  stone  Judgment  Seat  nearer 
the  centre,  pile  cloaks  upon  it,  and  hastily  arrange  it  as 
a  throne) 

What  sayest  thou,  En-Tur,  about  the  city, 
Shall  we  pillage  it? 

EN  -  TUR.  They  made  a  fierce  resistance. 

NIMROD.  —  They  should  be  honored  for  their  steadfastness. 
No  mercy  to  the  craven,  but  brave  men 
Break  down  the  barriers  of  an  alien  race 
And  form  a  mighty  nation  of  brave  men, 
Their  banners  different  but  their  hearts  akin 
In  one  vast  fellowship  of  bravery. 
(NIMROD  steps  upon  the  Judgment  Seat,  as  a  guard  of 
soldiers  enters  bringing  in  PELIAH  -  HEM,  the  queen  of 
the  conquered  city,  richly  attired,  but  with  light  armor 
over  her  woman's  robes.    She  is  followed  by  her  shield- 
bearer  and  a  group   of  captive  soldiers.      All  these 
are  unarmed,  but  a  bowman,  evidently  belonging  to  the 
city  and  not  to  NIMROD' s  army,  slips  in  unperceived, 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  53 

and  during  the  ensuing  dialogue  edges  his  way  to  the 

demolished  turret) 

Thou  hast  some  boon  to  ask  of  me? 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  (with  subdued  dignity)          Great  Lord, 
I  crave  no  boon  as  woman  or  as  queen, 
Nor  is  my  cry  for  mercy,  but  to  Reason's  ear 
A  plea  for  hearing. 

NIMROD.  Speak,  Queen.    The  ear  of  Reason 

Shall  be  thy  only  arbiter. 

PELIAH  -  HEM.  My  Lord, 

Whatever  be  thy  will  with  us,  remember 

One  day's  destruction  wastes  long  years  of  toil. 

Raze  not  the  walls!    Do  not  destroy  the  aqueducts 

Which  bring  our  children  water  in  the  times  of  drouth ! 

Thou  gainest  nothing,  we  lose  all! 

(The  watchman  in  the  turret,  who,  during  this  speech, 

has  been  pacing  from  side  to  side  peering  through  his 

hands  at  the  plain  beyond  the  river,  suddenly  raises 

his  arm,  as  though  demanding  attention) 

WATCHMAN.  A  messenger! 

NIMROD  —  Why  should  I  spare  the  town  ?    Not  till  a  breach 

was  made 
Didst  thou  surrender. 

PELIAH  -  HEM.  So  great  a  conqueror 

Surely  will  never  blame  a  valorous  defense. 

NIMROD  —  Hear  the  terms  offered  by  the  King  of  Eridhu. 
Wilt  thou  pay  tribute  unto  Astrael, 
Bow  at  his  throne  and  worship  him  as  god? 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  (indignantly)     Worship   is   of   the   heart, 
war  finds  no  conquest  there. 

NIMROD  —  Slavery  both  of  body  and  of  mind  — 
Such  is  the  mercy  of  King  Astrael ! 


54  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  Shall   I   say  "  yes  "   to  serve   a  pressing 

need  ? 

And  when  thy  army  is  again  withdrawn 
Abjure  my  queenly  oath  and  build  the  wall  anew? 
If  all  thou  offerest  is  slavery  — 
Raze  first  our  city  to  the  very  ground, 
Plunder  the  homes  your  warriors  have  made  desolate, 
Pile  up  our  bodies  in  the  cindered  ways 
And  let  the  jackals  howl  where  children  played. 

WATCHMAN  —  (from  the  turret)    A  messenger ! 

(At  this  repetition  of  the  cry,  NIMROD  leans  back  in 
his  seat  in  such  a  posture  that  he  can  see  through  the 
open  city  gates.  On  the  instant,  the  archer,  who  has 
been  crouching  among  the  ruins  —  half-way  up  the  de- 
molished turret  —  springs  to  his  feet  and  draws  his  arrow 
to  the  head.  EN  -  TUR,  who  is  standing  behind  NIM- 
ROD, sees  the  act,  but  is  prevented  from  taking  any  de- 
fensive action  by  the  high,  broad  Judgment  Seat) 

EN  -  TUR  —  My  Lord !    Protect  thyself! 

(At  the  cry,  and  on  seeing  EN  -  TUR  pointing  over 
toward  the  left-hand  turret,  PELIAH  -  HEM  turns  and 
sees  the  archer  about  to  loose  the  shaft.  With  a  quick- 
ness of  action  unexpected  in  her  she  seizes  her  shield 
from  the  armor-bearer,  leaps  upon  the  lower  step  of 
the  Judgment  Seat  and  catches  the  arrow,  which  re- 
mains quivering  in  the  shield) 

NIMROD  —  (with  admiring  gratitude)  I  am  thy  debtor,  Queen. 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  Lord  Nimrod,  sorrow  hast  thou  brought 

for  guest, 

My  son  is  slain,  my  city  conquered,  yet  I  feel 
More  poignantly  the  stain  of  treachery. 

WATCHMAN  —  (from  the  turret)    A  messenger  in  haste! 
NIMROD.  I  am  required 

By  loyalty  to  Astrael  to  voice 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  55 

This  harsh  decree,  O  Queen.    Yet  as  thy  conqueror 

I  may  relieve  the  rigors  of  his  law. 

Wilt  thou  pay  homage  and  wilt  render  tribute? 

WATCHMAN  —  (from  the  turret)  A  messenger  from  Eridhu ! 
(£N  -  TUR  hurries  to  the  base  of  the  turret  and  appears 
a  moment  later  standing  beside  the  watcher  on  the 
parapet) 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  I   will   pay  homage.     What  tribute  dost 
thou  ask? 

EN  -  TUR  —  (cries  loudly  from  the  turret) 

Lord  Nimrod,  on  the  mighty  steed  Gebhir 
Comes  one  from  Eridhu  at  utmost  haste! 

NIMROD  —  On  Gebhir?    Over  the  desert?    Who  dares  ride 

my  horse? 

(Turns  to  PELIAH  -  HEM) 
Thou  shalt  send  embassies  to  Eridhu, 
King  Astrael  himself  shall  fix  thy  tribute. 

EN- TUR  —  My  Lord!    'Tis  Gilvar-Ur,  whom  thou  didst 

leave  to  guard 
The  princess  Astuphelii 

NIMROD  —  (rising  and  facing  the  gates)    Gilvar-Ur! 
And  on  Gebhir! 

(A  cloud  of  dust  in  the  distance  resolves  itself  into  a 
horse  and  rider  as  ike  latter  leaves  the  dusty  plain  for  the 
bridge  of  boats  which  spans  the  Euphrates  River.  From 
the  stride  of  the  horse  it  is  seen  that  he  is  laboring  heavily 
and  the  rider  leans  far  forward  over  his  neck,  urging 
him  on) 

Gods!    How  he  rides! 

(As  the  horse  and  rider  approach,  EN- TUR ^comes 
down  from  the  turret  and  steps  forward  beside  the 
Judgment  Seat.  The  hoofbeats  are  distinctly  heard, 
even  the  occasional  stumble  of  an  overridden  horse  being 


56  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

distinguishable  on  the  hard  ground.  Just  as  he  reaches 
the  gate  GILVAR  -  UR  flings  himself  from  his  horse 
and  rushes  in) 

What  news? 

GILVAR -UR  —  My  Lord,  the  worst!    The  princess  marries 

Mitura 

Just  as  the  sun  shall  reach  the  zenith's  height 
To-morrow! 

NIMROD  —  (incredulously,  not  from  doubt  but  from  desire  not 
to  believe  the  report) 

Thou  sayest  Astupheli  weds? 

GILVAR  -  UR  —  Four  days  ago  it  was  decreed. 

NIMROD  —  (speaking  in  a  stifled  voice)    To  Mitura  ? 

GILVAR  -  UR  —  To  Mitura,  my  Lord.    'Tis  by  compulsion. 

NIMROD  —  How  knowest  thou  that? 

GILVAR -UR.  The  princess  is  in  prison! 

NIMROD  —  (stiffening  rigidly  and  speaking  in  a  hard,  dry 

voice) 

I  might  have  guessed  their  trickery! 
(Suddenly  loses  control  of  himself  and  shouts  in  fury) 

'Tis   forced ! 

A  marriage  forced!    I  say,  a  marriage  forced! 
(Advances  on  GILVAR  -  UR  like  a  whirlwind) 
It  must  be  stopped!    You  hear? 
(Pauses,   as   though   trying  to   control  himself,   then 
bursts  out) 

It  must  be  stopped  I 
(Wheels  round  suddenly  upon  EN  -  TUR) 
I  say  it  must  be  stopped! 

EN  -  TUR.  Is  there  a  way? 

NIMROD  —  What  care  I  for  a  way?    It  must  be  stopped! 
(Whirls  his  great  bronze  sword  over  GILVAR  -  UR) 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  57 

What  did  you  do?    (Madly)    I  would  have  slain  the 

king! 

Wrenched  Mitura  to  pieces,  limb  from  limb! 
Heaped  the  priests'  corpses  like  a  wall  of  clay, 
Brick  upon  brick,  with  mortar  of  their  blood. 
(He  shakes  with  rage  as  though  in  palsy) 
Answer,  I  say!  I  left  thee  twenty  men! 
Why  is  the  king  alive?    Why  Mitura? 
(GiLVAR  -  UR  tries  to  speak  but  is  paralyzed  by  fear  of 
the  ungovernable  passion  of  NIMROD) 
With  twenty  men  I  would  sweep  Eridhu 
Of  every  living  thing  within  its  walls, 
And  every  man  with  finger  in  this  plot 
Shall  rot  before  this  moon  has  spent  her  course! 
(He   pauses,    breathless,    anger   choking   his   speech. 
There  is  a  silence  which  no  one  dares  to  break.    NIMROD 
bursts  out  again) 
Shall  rot!    You  hear  me?    Rot! 
(Again  threatens  GILVAR  -  UR  with  his  sword) 

Where  are  thy  men? 

(Stamps  impatiently  as  GILVAR  -  UR  remains  silent) 
Speak,  dog!    Thou  hast  a  tongue! 
(Takes  him  by  the  throat)  Must  I  drag  out 

The  truth  with  heated  fish-hooks? 

EN  -  TUR  —  (interrupting  in  an  attempt  to  check  NIMROD'S 
wrath) 

Nay,  my  Lord, 
Have  reason. 

NIMROD  —  (loosening  his  grip  on  GILVAR  -  UR  and  turning 
to  EN -TuR) 

Usest  thou  thy  tongue  to  me? 
Who  bade  thee  speak?    Thou  shalt  be  flayed  alive 
If  thou  dost  speak  to  me  unless  I  bid  thee! 
Now  wilt  thou  speak? 

EN  -  TUR  —  (doggedly)  I  have  been  wont  to  speak 


58  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

Both  when  and  how  it  pleases  me.    My  tongue 
Is  duller  than  my  sword,  but  both  are  free! 

NIMROD  —  Now  by  the  mother's  womb  that  bare  thee,  dog, 
I  bade  thee  silence,  bade  another  speak! 
The  one  stares  blankly  with  a  dropping  chin, 
The  other  prates  to  me. 

EN  -  TUR  —  (without  a  change  of  voice)  Others  may  fear  — 
(NiMROD  suddenly  shifts  his  sword  to  his  left  hand, 
draws  a  javelin  from  his  belt  and  poises  it  for  the  throw. 
EN  -  TUR  stands  unmoved,  not  a  muscle  of  his  face 
changing) 

NIMROD  —  (less  furiously,  turning  to  GILVAR  -  UR) 

Where  were   thy  soldiers?     Answer!     I  want  the 
truth. 

GILVAR  -  UR  —  My  Lord,  I  never  saw  them.     Before  you 

left  ^ 

I  was  in  prison  because  I  overheard 
The  princess  defying  Mitura,  the  king, 
The  priests,  avowing  all  her  love  for  thee. 

NIMROD  —  Before  I  marched  from  Eridhu  ?    Astupheli 
A  captive,  and  I  a  hundred  yards  away! 
Could  no  one  tell  me? 

GILVAR  -  UR.  No  one,  Lord. 

They  gagged  me  tightly,  bound  me  hand  and  foot, 

And  cast  me  in  a  dungeon.    I  escaped 

By  bribery.    Some  tried  to  stop  my  way, 

But  they  have  gone  a  greater  journey. 

I  did  not  dare  to  stay,  I  seized  a  horse, 

Rode  till  I  met  a  caravan;  my  horse  was  done, 

At  thy  mere  name  they  gave  another,  him  I  rode 

Straight  to  thy  camp.    On  hearing  of  thy  need, 

Bil-Nar  brought  out  Gebhir.    The  sun  is  little  lower 

Than  when  I  left  the  city,  two  days'  ride  away. 


SCENE  i  NIMROD  59 

NIMROD  —  (moodily)     To-morrow   at    sun's   height!     Two 

days  away! 

So  Astrael  is  foe  and  war  declared. 
(Turns  suddenly  to  PELIAH  -  HEM) 
I  am  thy  victor,  not  King  Astrael. 
I,  Nimrod,  King  of  Astu-men-ephat 
And  son  of  Cush,  the  conqueror,  declare 
War  against  Astrael.    I  grant  thy  boon 
And  claim  allegiance  to  my  cause. 

PELIAH  -  HEM.  But  why  — 

NIMROD  —  Ask  me  no  questions  now! 

PELIAH  -  HEM  —  (hastily  snatching  at  the  opportunity) 

I  will  swear  friendship. 

NIMROD  —  But  how  to  stop  the  marriage  ? 
(Holds  up  hand  to  impose  silence) 

Not  a  word, 

A  sign,  a  sound,  from  anyone! 

(Paces  to  and  fro.  A  soldier  moves  slightly,  his  arms 
rattling  and  NIMROD  turns  sharply  with  bared  gums. 
The  silence  is  intense)  One  chance! 

And  only  one!    The  patriarch!    Enochael, 
The  mighty  Hebrew  prophet  unto  whom  the  tribes 
Give  faith  unquestioning.    He  may  evoke 
Some  power  never  granted  unto  other  men. 
(Turns  to  EN-TUR) 
En-Tur,  ride  with  all  speed  to  Eridhu, 
Besiege  the  city,  capture  Astrael, 
But  do  not  kill  him.    Though  his  oath  be  false, 
Still  is  he  Astupheli's  father. 

(En  -  TUR  is  about  to  answer  him,  but  NIMROD  strikes 
in  harshly) 

Do  not  speak! 
( Turns  to  PELIAH  -  HEM) 
Send  all  thy  forces  with  him.    Ride  to-night. 


60  NIMROD  ACT  II 

(Turns  to  EN  -Tim)    Free  all  the  captives! 
(Walks  toward  the  gates  just  as  the  great  war-horse  is 
led  in  beside  the  turret) 

I  will  ride  Gebhir! 

(Thoughtfully)     To-morrow,  at  sun's  height. 
(Puts  his  hand  on  the  horse' }s  mane,  and  as  he  does  so  a 
faint  murmur  of  whispering  is  heard.    NIMROD  glares] 

Did  someone  speak! 

(Curtain} 
End  SCENE  i 


ACT   II,     SCENE  2 

SCENE  —  The  encampment  of  the  patriarch,  ENOCHAEL.  From 
a  small  outcrop  of  rocks  trickles  a  slender  stream.  To 
the  left  is  a  group  of  cultivated  fig-trees  of  the  large- 
leaved  variety,  not  more  than  fifteen  feet  in  height,  one 
or  two  cedars  of  Lebanon  towering  up  from  among 
them.  A  large  tent,  of  camel-hide  dyed  black,  stands 
under  the  tallest  of  the  cedars.  To  the  right  is  seen  a 
group  of  majestic  date-palms  and  under  their  shadow 
is  a  smaller  tent,  more  delicately  wrought,  a  silken  cur- 
tain fluttering  over  the  entrance.  Parts  of  other  tents 
appear  as  glimpses  through  the  foliage,  suggesting  a 
large  encampment. 

In  the  immediate  foreground,  the  outcrop  of  rock 
juts  forward,  forming  a  rude  flat  surface  a  few  inches 
above  the  level  of  the  sward.  In  the  centre  of  this  low 
table  of  rock  is  a  socket  in  which  a  spear  is  thrust,  blade 
upward,  sloping  slightly  to  the  left.  Rude  divisions, 
as  of  a  primitive  sun-dial,  are  carved  in  the  native  rock, 
and  the  shadow  of  the  spear  strikes  sharply  upon  them. 
On  either  side  the  shade  is  deep,  but  in  the  centre,  the 
sun  of  a  cloudless  sky  shines  fiercely  through  a  gap  in 
ike  trees. 

On  ike  opposite  side,  and  a  little  further  back  than 
the  entrance  to  the  smaller  tent  is  seen  a  rough,  plain 
altar,  constructed  of  gilded  boards  pegged  together  to 
form  four  sides,  being  then  filled  with  sand.  A  fire 
smolders  on  it,  its  simplicity  being  in  striking  contrast 
to  the  gorgeous  shrines  noted  in  the  Star-Temple. 

Beyond  the  clump  of  trees  the  country  is  seen  to  be 

61 


62  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 


1 

fa 


of  a  gently  undulating  character,  almost  treeless  save 
one  or  two  copses  oj  the  type  seen  in  the  fore- 
ground. The  slopes  are  green  with  verdure  and  studded 
with  scarlet  poppy-anemones.  Upon  this  pasture 
browse  great  flocks  of  sheep  and  goats.  The  scene  is 
one  of  pastoral  quietude,  save  for  the  single  aggressive 
note  —  the  spear  in  its  rock-socket  telling  the  hours  by 
the  blazing  sun.  In  the  far  distance  is  the  desert. 

The  Time  is  Morning,  drawing  on  towards  noon. 

As  the  curtain  rises,  YARETHAH  steps  from  the 
smaller  tent  and  crosses  the  stage  to  note  the  time  on 
the  dial.  An  old  shepherd,  with  his  long  crook,  is 
lying  on  the  turf  beside  the  larger  tent;  he  rises  as  she 
comes  near.  After  stooping  to  note  the  hour,  YARE- 
THAH steps  upon  the  unengraved  portion  of  the  dial- 
plate  and  reads  aloud  the  carving  on  the  rock  above) 

YARETHAH  —  (reading)     How  wonderful  are  all  Jehovah's 

ways. 

He  makes  the  great  sun  rise  to  nourish  trees 
And  bids  trees  grow  to  shade  his  ardent  beams; 
He  gives  the  stream  to  quench  a  desert  thirst 
And  sends  the  dew  to  swell  the  tiny  spring, 
Whence  flows  the  stream  perpetually.    Each  day 
He  has  ordained  such  work  to  every  man 
That  he  may  need  to  rest,  each  night  sends  rest 
And  all  the  peace  of  quiet  sleeping. 
(While  she  is  reading  the  shepherd  goes  to  the  edge  of 
the  clump  of  trees  and  shading  his  eyes  with  his  hand 
looks  out  over  the  plain.     In  a  moment  he  turns  and 
goes  toward  the  larger  tent) 

The  stranger  nears  the  camp?    Bring  bread  and  salt, 
Who  rides  must  taste  our  hospitality. 
(The  shepherd  makes  a  gesture  of  assent  and  enters 
the  larger  tent) 
Who  can  it  be?    Some  noble  warrior! 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  63 

(Stands  by  the  flap  of  the  smaller  tent.  Although  in 
the  full-flowing  divided  garments  gathered  in  at  the 
ankle,  she  is  not  veiled  save  for  a  maiden's  snood  over 
her  hair) 

(Enter   NIMROD,    saluting   YARETHAH    with    ancient 
formality,  laying  his  right  hand  upon  his  forehead, 
then  touching  his  lips  and  his  heart  and  extending  the 
hand  in  token  of  amity) 
Thou  wouldest  see  Enochael,  my  lord  ? 

NIMROD  —  If  possible,  Yarethah,  without  delay. 

YARETHAH  —  (surprised  that  the  stranger  should  know  her 

name) 

Thou  knowest  me!    Thy  pardon,  noble  guest, 
That  I  should  lack  so  much  in  courtesy 
As  not  to  know  thy  name. 

NIMROD.  'Twas  years  ago. 

I  am  Nimrod,  Yarethah!    Where  is  thy  father? 

YARETHAH  —  (coming  forward  delightedly) 

Nimrod!    But  how  could  I  have  known  thee? 
Forget  thee  —  nay,  would  I  forget  the  day 
When  the  black  leopard  turned  to  bay,  and  thou, 
Though  but  a  lad,  attacked  him  with  thy  blade, 
Took  the  beast's  life,  then  with  a  merry  grace, 
Came  crying  —  "I  am  sorry,  Yarethah, 
I  could  not  capture  him  for  pet  of  thine." 
Art  thou  still  fond  of  hunting? 

NIMROD.  There  is  naught 

Worth  hunting  now.    Even  the  lion  gives  no  sport. 
Yarethah,  I  seek  thy  father! 

YARETHAH  —  (pouting)  Why  in  such  haste  ? 

The  Nimrod  that  I  used  to  know  of  old 
Did  not  betray  such  eagerness  to  leave  me. 

NIMROD  —  (impatiently)  Where  is  Enochael  ?  I  have  no  time 


64  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

To  prate  of  childhood  days! 
(YARETHAH  turns  away  ojfendedly) 

Nay,  Yarethah, 

I  am  as  glad  as  thee  to  think  of  them, 
But  life  and  death  hang  by  my  using  haste, 
And  I  must  see  thy  father  instantly. 

YARETHAH  —  (speaking  with  constraint) 
My  father  is  away  from  camp. 

NIMROD  —  (in  consternation)  Away? 

Where  did  he  go?    When?    Can  I  overtake  him? 

YARETHAH  —  Three  days  ago  he  left,  and  then  he  said 
He  would  return  before  the  sun  was  high 
On  the  third  day.    I  think  that  caravan 
Out  on  the  hillside  yonder  must  be  his. 
Thy  need  is  urgent  - 
(NiMROD  makes  a  gesture  of  impatience) 

then,  for  childhood's  sake 
I  will  send  word. 
(Calls  to  the  shepherds) 

Ben  Ik,  take  the  white  mare, 
Ride  at  full  speed  to  yonder  caravan 
And  ask  Enochael  to  hasten  home. 
(Turns  to  NIMROD) 

Now  I  have  done  all  that  I  can  to  help  thee, 
Tell  me  thy  tale.    What  is  thy  cause  for  haste? 

NIMROD  —  The  maid,  to  whom  my  troth  was  pledged,  to-day 

must    wed 

A  weakling  whom  she  hates,  a  harsh  compulsion, 
Forced  by  King  Astrael  to  save  the  dynasty. 

YARETHAH  —  How  can  she  wed  unless  she  loves,  Nimrod? 
(NIMROD  pays  no  heed  to  the  question,  but  walks  to  the 
spear,  and   stooping   down,    measures    the    length    of 
shadow.    Rises  and  looks  over  the  plain  in  the  direc- 
tion that  the  shepherd  had  taken) 


SCENE  2  N  I  M  R  O  D  65 

Was  ever  such  impatience!  (Calls)  Nimrod,  come! 
He  will  be  here  no  sooner  for  thine  eyes. 
Tell  me,  how  can  she  wed  unless  she  loves  ? 
(NIMROD  turns  moodily  and  walks  beside  her) 

NIMROD  —  She  can  be  made  to  wed  without  consent. 
Her  father  and  the  priests  desire  it, 
She  is  alone. 

(A  young  shepherd  lad  comes  out  of  the  larger  tent, 
bearing  bowls  of  food) 

YARETHAH.  Thou  hast  not  broken  fast? 

NIMROD  —  Nor  can  I  now!    No.    Bread  and  salt  I  take 
For  courtesy.    I  thank  thee,  Yarethah. 

YARETHAH  —  Thy  thanks  are  of  the  lips  not  of  the  heart! 

NIMROD  —  My  heart  is  held  in  torture  till  thy  father  comes. 
(Strides  to  the  spear  and  measures.  Then  as  before, 
looks  out  upon  the  plain) 

Shorter  two  fingers'  breadths.     But  he  is  near  the 
camp. 

YARETHAH  —  (speaking  with  proud  confidence) 

What  help  my  father  gives  will  prove  sufficient, 
For  he  hath  failed  none  in  their  hour  of  need. 
If  thou  but  trust  him,  all  shall  yet  be  well. 
Remember,  trust  him! 

(Enter  ENOCHAEL.     He  is  of  venerable  age  and  patri- 
archal mien  and  with  a  manner  of  benign  kindliness) 

ENOCHAEL.  Peace  on  thee  and  thine! 

NIMROD  —  Jehovah's   servant,   greeting! 

ENOCHAEL  —  (embracing  YARETHAH,  then  turning)    A  good 


„ 

Stranger,  thy  answer  makes  thee  welcome  here. 
NIMROD  —  'Tis  fifteen  years  since  thou  didst  teach  it  me. 
ENOCHAEL  —  A  goodly  span  of  years.    I  know  thee  not. 


66  NIMROD  ACT  II 

NIMROD  —  And  yet  Enochael  was  wont  to  say 

That  NimrocTs  face  would  linger  in  his  mind 
In  spite  of  passing  years. 

ENOCHAEL.  Nimrod!    Most  welcome, 

Great  joy  have  I  to  see  thee  once  again. 
And  thou  art  now  a  conqueror,  I  hear, 
Victor  of  all  the  Cities  of  the  Plain. 
Enter,  and  tell  me  of  thy  life  and  state. 

NIMROD  —  (staying  his  hospitable  offer  with  a  gesture) 
Not  for  a  trifle  did  I  send  thee  word 
Of  urgent  need  and  difficulty  great. 
Almost  before  I  tell  thee  what  must  be 
The  spear  will  cast  no  shadow  on  the  stele 
That  marks  the  sun  in  midmost  heaven.     Should 

that  be 

And  thou  canst  give  no  help  —  thy  pupil's  happiness 
Dies  with  the  setting  sun. 

ENOCHAEL  —  (with  gentle  sarcasm)    Thou  needest  help  from 

me? 

The  captain-general  of  Eridhu  ? 
Is  not  thine  armor  proof  against  all  wounds? 

NIMROD  —  What  armor  can  resist  the  hurtling  blow 
That  paralyzing  sorrow  renders  forth? 
What  toughened  hide  can  turn  the  flight  of  darts 
Of  undeserved  misery?    While  love  itself 
Too  often  is  a  venomed  arrow  barb, 
The  merest  kiss  of  which  shall  scorch  the  heart 
With  searing  fire,  pleasant  and  yet  pain. 

ENOCHAEL  —  Love,  sorrow  and  despondency  of  heart! 
What  aid  can  any  give  against  these  three? 
The  only  cure  for  love,  is  — 
(Pauses  and  looks  up  with  a  smile) 

cease  to  love! 

NIMROD  —  Better  to  die  of  love  than  cease  to  love! 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  67 

ENOCHAEL  —  The  first  impulse  of  love  is  thoughtless  bliss, 
When  a  mere  presence  answers  every  need, 
The  touch  of  a  hand  is  benediction  rare, 
(NIMROD  chafes  and  moves  impatiently) 
A  glance  is  wonderful, 
(NiMROD  turns  fretfully  and  walks  to  the  spear) 

a  smile  divine, 
And  life  is  bartered  for  a  single  kiss. 

NIMROD  — The  shadow  wanes  I 

ENOCHAEL.  Thou  hast  no  sense  of  patience. 

(NiMROD  returns,  and  the  patriarch  resumes) 
The  second  stage  is  madness,  when  it  seems 
That  fond  desire  leads  to  jealousy  — 
The  ardent  lover  cannot  be  content 
With  love  itself  but  seeks  to  own  that  love 
And  feels  a  fury  rushing  through  his  heart 
To  think  another  also  might  be  loved. 

NIMROD  —  (standing    beside   the   spear)     A   nail's    breadth 
gone! 

ENOCHAEL.  It  is  unwise  to  fret. 

(Resumes)     But    riper    judgment    leads    to    calmer 

thought 

And  love  assumes  the  third  place  in  his  heart. 
In  this  he  learns  the  truest  love  is  found 
Not  in  the  presence  of  the  one  adored, 
Nor  in  possession  of  the  maiden  sought, 
But  in  the  union  of  the  soul  with  soul. 

YARETHAH  —  You  do  torment  him,  Father! 

(Reproachfully  and  with  a  look  of  sympathy  toward 
NIMROD) 

There  is  need  of  haste! 

ENOCHAEL  —  There  is  no  need  for  haste  at  any  time, 
Jehovah  works  by  ages,  yet  are  all  things  done. 
(Turns  to  NIMROD) 


68  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

Tell  of  thy  love,  since  love  seems  all  thy  woe. 
I  have  known  men  who  lost  a  maiden's  love  — 
And  still  survived. 

NIMROD.  But  this,  Enochael, 

Holds  matters  of  a  sterner  character. 
I  have  to  Astupheli  given  troth, 
Daughter  of  Astrael,  and  she  has  pledged  herself 
To  wed  none  other;  the  king  by  solemn  oath 
Before  his  priests  promised  to  hear  my  suit 
When  I  returned  a  victor. 

ENOCHAEL.  She  has  betrayed  thee? 

NIMROD  —  Never!    The  very  hour  I  marched  forth 
They  thrust  her  in  a  cell  until  the  day 
She  should  be  forced  to  marry  Mitura, 
A  weakling  who  shall  feebly  hold  the  crown 
Till  Jarimel,  the  heir,  be  old  enough  to  rule. 

ENOCHAEL  —  What  of  the  king's  oath  ? 

NIMROD.  False,  as  is  his  heart! 

Now  as  I  con  that  oath  again,  I  see 
A  double  meaning  in  the  specious  words. 
(Half  draws  his  sword) 

If  I  could  choke  them  down  his  throat  again 
The  birds  should  feast  on  his  unburied  body  now! 
(He  fights  down  his  rage,  while  ENOCHAEL  and  YARE- 
THAH  look  on  in  silence.      In  a  jew  moments  he  speaks 
more  quietly) 

Thou  art  as  wise  above  the  sons  of  men 
As  I  am  strong,  and  since  my  strength  is  vain 
Thy  wisdom  must  educe  a  plan  to  stay 
This  evil  wedding. 

ENOCHAEL  —  (gravely)  Her  vow  is  not  required  ? 

NIMROD  —  It  is,  but  though  her  lips  were  trebly  sealed 
The  priests  would  swear  that  she  had  given  it. 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  69 

ENOCHAEL  —  How  didst  thou  learn  of  this? 

NIMROD.  A  messenger. 

ENOCHAEL  —  Can  he  be  trusted? 

NIMROD.  Yes.    He  is  my  friend. 

ENOCHAEL  —  What  dost  thou  plan  to  do? 

NIMROD  —  (desperately)  I  have  no  plan, 

Therefore  I  come  to  thee.    If  I  could  see  a  way, 
What  need  to  seek  thy  wisdom  ?    Thou  art  my  hope ! 

ENOCHAEL  —  Has  wisdom  wings  of  light  to  transport  man 
At  speed  illimitable  over  the  desert  sands? 
It  lacks  but  two  spans  on  the  dial  of  the  spear, 
And  Eridhu  is  two  days'  ride  away. 

NIMROD  —  If  I  could  reach  the  place,  would  I  then  ask  thy 

aid? 
If  human  strength  sufficed,  all  would  be  well. 

ENOCHAEL  —  I  am  but  man  like  thee.      How  can  I  help 
thee  then? 

NIMROD  —  Thou  art  the  honored  prophet  of  Jehovah ! 
I  am  king,  and  conqueror  of  all  the  plain. 

ENOCHAEL  —  (with  quiet  scorn)    That  makes  us  so  impor- 
tant—  in  God's  sight! 

NIMROD  —  (flushing,  but  indomitable  in  purpose) 

If  through  thy  prayers  Great  Jehovah  hears 

My  bitter  need  and  by  divine  omnipotence 

Prevents  this  mockery  of  sacrament, 

I  will  throw  down  all  heathen  temples  in  the  plain, 

Root  out  idolatry,  despoil  the  groves, 

Abolish  human  sacrifice,  raise  high 

Jehovah's  worship  till  all  men  adore! 

ENOCHAEL  —  A  bribe  to  God  ?    If  He  does  thus  and  so, 
Thou  wilt  reward  Him  with  more  worshippers. 


70  NIMROD  ACT  II 

Is  this  thy  plea? 

(NIMROD  walks  to  the  spear,  measures  the  shadow  and 

returns} 

NIMROD  —  (passionately)    With  age  thy  blood  stagnates 
Or  thou  would  not  delay  upon  each  petty  word ! 

ENOCHAEL  —  Wilt  thou  bribe  God? 

NIMROD.  There  is  no  need  of  gods 

If  our  own  powers  answer  all  our  quests. 
But  when  there  comes  that  one  inevitable  hour 
When  all  our  striving  seems  to  be  in  vain, 
Then  —  if  we   find   a  God,  we   know   Him   to   be 

God, 
And  knowing,  love;  and  loving,  yield  Him  all. 

ENOCHAEL  —  Dost    thou  regard  Jehovah's  power  at  com- 
mand ? 
Compelled  to  answer  when  His  people  cry? 

NIMROD  —  If,  when  His  people  cry,  He  answers  not, 
Can  He  be  God  of  Love? 

(Turns  angrily  from  ENOCHAEL  and  stands  moodily 
beside  the  spear)  Even  omnipotence 

Cannot  reverse  the  wheels  of  time,  and  all  thy  help 
Will  be  but  idle  if  the  hour  be  past. 

ENOCHAEL  —  What  thou  desirest,  that  thou  thinkest  right; 
What  is  against  thy  will,  to  thee  is  wrong; 
Thou  mayest  think  God  mistaken,  not  thyself! 

NIMROD  —  Can  I  interpret  gods?    I  know  no  right 
Except  the  right  I  know.    Thou  art  not  just 
To  goad  my  anger  by  such  long  delay. 

YARETHAH  —  That  is  a  true  word ! 

(Turns  to  her  father)  Be  merciful  to  him! 

ENOCHAEL  —  What  space  of  time  remains? 

NIMROD.  Scarce  half  a  span! 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  71 

ENOCHAEL  —  The  half  of  that  were  ample  if  Jehovah  wills. 
^Perhaps  there  is  a  way. 

NIMROD  —  (springing  forward  excitedly  and  hopefully) 

There  is  a  way? 

ENOCHAEL  —  I  have  learned  much  about  Chaldean  lore, 
And  if  I  do  recall  aright,  the  marriage  vow 
Is  consecrated  by  a  flash  of  sun 
Striking  across  joined  hands  laid  on  the  altar. 

NIMROD  —  That  flash  of  sun  doth  constitute  the  rite. 

Without  the  shining  of  the  beam  no  vow  is  made, 
But  by  reflected  mirrors,  the  high-priest 
Can  cast  that  ray  of  light  to  any  point 
Within  the  temple  walls. 

ENOCHAEL  —  (musingly)  There  is  a  way. 

What  if  the  sun  should  falter  and  grow  dim? 

NIMROD  —  It    would   prevent    the    bridal.      (Wonder  ingly) 

But  even  God 
Can  not  blot  out  the  sun! 

ENOCHAEL.  Thou  art  too  quick  to  speak 

Of  all  the  things  Jehovah  can  not  do. 
What  space  remains? 

(NIMROD  stoops  and  measures  again  the  shadow  on 
the  dial) 

NIMROD.  The  half  of  half  a  span! 

(ENOCHAEL  goes  to  the  altar  standing  a  little  back  from 
the  smaller  tent  and  throws  a  few  grains  of  incense  on 
the  flame.  A  thin  curl  of  smoke  rises) 

ENOCHAEL  —  Mighty  Jehovah,  who  by  Thy  power  hast 

made 

The  good  ever  to  prosper,  the  ill  to  fail, 
Grant  that  our  prayers  find  favor  in  thy  sight, 
Forbid  this  evil  marriage  sacrament. 


72  NIMROD  ACT  II 

NIMROD  —  The  shadow  wanes! 

ENOCHAEL.  Answer  our  prayers,  Lord! 

( Throws  more  incense  on  the  flame) 
Mighty  Jehovah,  who  hath  placed  our  souls 
In  fleshly  bodies  set  on  earthliness, 
Thou  knowest  that  the  purest  of  our  aims 
Are  marred  by  love  of  self.    In  false,  find  what  is  true, 
Answer  thy  servant  in  his  bitter  need 
That  he  may  worship  Thee,  the  one  true  God! 

NIMROD  —  Only  two  fingers'  breadth ! 

ENOCHAEL.  Oh,  hear  us,  Lord! 

(A  low  faint  moaning  is  heard.  The  shepherds  come 
from  the  larger  tent  and  gather  in  from  the  plain, 
creeping  in  softly  one  by  one,  as  they  see  ENOCHAEL 
at  the  altar.  Upon  the  far  horizon  a  pale  electric  green 
shimmers  fitfully  and  in  the  distance,  one  camel 
screams) 

Mighty  Jehovah,  who  madest  earth  and  sky, 
The  radiant  sun  to  bless  the  eager  world, 
The  rain  to  slake  the  parched  and  thirsty  earth, 
The  clouds  in  sombre  glory  to  be  known 
As  messengers  of  thine,  hide  from  all  human  sight 
The  sun! 

YARETHAH  —  (her  shrilling  cry  cleaving  the  heavy  brooding 
silence) 

Nimrod!    The  sign!    The  sign! 

(The  moaning  grows  louder  and  more  menacing.  The 
shepherds  cower  on  the  ground.  The  pale  forerunner 
of  the  electric  cloud  rises  slightly,  showing  the  palpi- 
tating salmon-red  borders  of  the  "  ox-eye  "  cyclonic  cloud 
beneath.  The  sunshine  pales,  the  leaves  rustle  fitfully 
with  a  dry  harsh  sound) 

NIMROD.  The  sign! 

(Strides  to  the  altar  beside  ENOCHAEL) 


SCENE  2  NIMROD  73 

The  sun  grows  fainter!    Haste,  ye  laggard  clouds! 
Roll  blackly  over  craven  Astrael ! 

ENOCHAEL  —  Pray  not  for  vengeance  now! 

NIMROD  —  (with  an  imperious  gesture  at  the  sky)  To  Eridhu! 
(YARETHAH,  trembling  with  fear,  kneels  near  the 
altar  at  the  feet  of  her  father,  hiding  her  face  in  her 
hands.  ENOCHAEL  lays  his  hand  upon  her  head 
caressingly,  bespeaking  protection  and  peace) 
(Suddenly  the  strange  green  light  breaks  up  and 
merges  with  the  darker  hues  above  it  and,  like  great 
masses  of  pestilential  vapors,  waves  of  a  dark  and 
mottled  olive  hue  hurl  themselves  across  the  sky) 

ENOCHAEL  —  Darker  yet  grow,  ye  instruments  of  God! 
With  livid  fire  illume  your  horridness! 
(Flash  of  forked  lightning  splits  across  the  cloud) 
In  deep-toned  wrath  from  throat  invisible 
Pronounce  God's  anger  on  a  world  of  sin! 
(Crashing  peal  of  thunder  is  heard) 
And  let  Jehovah's  tread  in  Heaven' sjieight 
Be  judged  by  thy  deep  monotone  of  terror! 
(With  a  gradually  swelling  roar  the  storm  bursts,  the 
gale  booming  through  the  trees  of  the  encampment. 
But  above  the  tumult  quivers   a  sharp  keen   shriek, 
the  overtone  of  the  tempest's  fury) 
Shriek  loud,  ye  winds!     Ye  elements  unleashed, 
Sweep  on  your  fearful  way  to  sinful  Eridhu! 
With  forked  flame  of  fury,  crash,  thou  storm ! 
Thou  art  God's  mighty  Seraphim  of  rage. 
Strike  in  thy  strength  until  His  will  be  spent. 
(The  darkness  increases) 

NIMROD  —  Doth  great  Jehovah  sit  on  such  a  throne, 

With  crash  of  falling  worlds  for  words  of  doom? 
(Darkness,  sudden  and  absolute,  blots  out  the  scene. 
The  flame  of  the  altar  is  blown  down  by  the  wind  and 


74  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  II 

only  a  faint  red  glow  remains,  suggesting  rather  than 
showing  the  figure  of  ENOCHAEL  beside  the  altar) 

ENOCHAEL  —  Brandish  the  sword  of  God,  ye  livid  flames! 
(Lightning  flash  reveals  NIMROD  standing  at  the  altar 
beside  ENOCHAEL) 

NIMROD.  God! 

Not  one  of  many,  but  the  only  God! 
Thee!    God  of  strength  omnipotent! 
Thee!    Ruler  of  the  storm  blast  and  the  cloud! 
Thee!    Monarch  of  the  Voices  of  the  Sky! 
Thee!    Master  of  the  Furies  of  the  World! 
Thee!    Power  of  the  very  heart  of  Power! 
Thee!   Mightiest!    Greatest!    Best!    I  worship  here! 
(The  voice  rings  like  a  trumpet  above  the  storm,  though 
the  scene  is  dark.    By  a  lightning  flash  it  is  seen  that 
NIMROD  has  left  the  side  of  ENOCHAEL  and  is  stand- 
ing at  the  edge  of  the  encampment) 
And  now,  through  leagues  of  tempest-riven  wilder- 
ness, 

With  storm  for  fellow  and  with  God  for  company, 
I  ride  to  Astupheli! 

(Storm  breaks  out  with  redoubled  violence.  Then 
comes  a  long-continued  wavering  jagged  flash  of  light- 
ning, showing  NIMROD  on  a  plunging  horse,  turning 
toward  the  plain,  and  darkness  falls  again) 

(Curtain) 


End  ACT  II 


ACT   III 


ACT  III 

SCENE  —  The  sacrificial  chamber  of  the  vaults  of  the  Star- 
Temple  in  Eridhu.  The  walls  are  frescoed  in  lurid 
designs  showing  tortures  of  every  hideous  description, 
and  on  these  walls  hang  ancient  and  cumbrous  machin- 
ery of  a  sinister  and  forbidding  aspect.  The  cell  is  damp, 
the  floor  and  lower  portions  of  the  walls  being  covered 
with  mould  and  a  copper-colored  slime.  The  floor  is 
of  slabs  of  stone  imperfectly  fitted  together  and  from  the 
cracks  bleached  and  poisonous  fungi  grow.  The  back 
of  the  cell  merges  into  utter  obscurity  save  in  the  centre 
where  there  is  a  raised  step,  being  the  first  of  a  series 
of  steps  leading  downward  into  the  Cavern  of  Silence. 
A  rude  table  stands  on  one  side  of  the  steps  and  on  it 
are  rusty  chains  and  mouldy  bronze-banded  leather 
gags  and  fastenings.  The  ceiling  is  low  and  ponderous 
and  thick  ropes  of  plaited  hide  are  suspended  from  huge 
rings  in  the  roof.  There  are  no  windows,  the  gratings 
in  the  wall  which  admit  the  air  opening  into  cavities 
as  dark  as  the  cell  itself. 

To  the  right  is  an  altar  of  black  stone.  A  few  inches 
from  the  top  there  projects  a  bar  encircling  the  altar, 
from  which  hang  tongs  and  pincers  and  instruments 
suitable  for  being  made  red-hot.  The  fire  cavity  in  the 
altar  is  deep  and  in  it  burns  a  low  fire,  its  reddish  glare 
being  the  only  light  in  the  cell. 

To  the  left  is  a  low  white  stone  slab,  hollowed  out  to 
the  shape  of  a  human  body.  Bloodstains  both  red  and 
fresh  and  blackened  and  old  are  streaked  across  its 
surface  and  are  seen  running  down  its  sides. 

The  Time  is  Afternoon,  two  days  later  than  the  last 

77 


78  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

scene,  but  this  is  not  apparent  in  the  cell,  the  only  light 
in  which  is  the  altar  fire,  a  flickering  flame,  which 
causes  distorted  shadows  to  move  upon  the  wall. 

As  the  curtain  rises,  ASTUPHELI  is  seen  lying  on  the 
white  stone  sacrificial  slab.  She  has  been  asleep. 
After  a  moment  or  two  she  stirs,  moves  languidly  and 
partly  changes  her  position. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (reflectively)    What  a  dream  of  horror! 

(With  an  overwrought  but  relieved  look)    It  is  good  to 

wake! 
I  thought  the  priests  bound  me  and  dragged  me 

down 

To  that  deep  chamber  below  the  Temple  walls 
Where  victims  for  the  slaughter  wait  to  die. 
A  fearful  dream! 

(Passes  her  hand  across  her  forehead  and  then  gently 
over  her  eyes  as  though  to  clear  them) 

It  seems  I  cannot  wake! 

(Raises  herself  on  her  elbow  and  glances  round  only 
half  comprehendingly) 
My  eyes  still  seem  to  see  the  gloomy  cell, 
The  fire  on  the  stone,  the  sacrificial  table. 
(Her  hand  falls  on  the  stone  on  which  she  lies  and  its 
chill  contact,  added  to  her  increasing  wakefulness,  brings 
its  bitter  realization) 

Merciful  gods!    Was  it  then  not  a  dream? 
(Springs  from  the  slab  with  shuddering  haste) 
This  is  the  sacrificial  cell; 
(glances  fearfully  at  the  altar)  the  flames 
Are  not  the  figment  of  a  sleep-beclouded  brain 
But  leap  upon  the  hated  altar. 

(Her  eye  catches  sight  of  the  sacrificial  slab  and  she 
shrinks  back  in  loathing) 

I  was  laid 
Where  bloody  sacrifices  oft  have  lain. 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  79 

{Looks  round  with  dread  as  though  fearing  to  establish 

the  truth) 

There  are  the  torture  instruments,  the  cage  — 

(Totters  back  as  the  ominous  staircase  meets  her  view) 

The  steps  which  no  returning  foot  hath  trod. 

(Suddenly    pauses,    looks    quickly    at    the   floor    and 

shrieks) 

(Silence  ensues.    Then,  in  a  low  and  shuddering  voice) 

What  moves? 

(Shrinks  back  toward  the  altar,  gazing  at  the  pavement 

fixedly) 

That  blur  upon  the  floor ! 
(With  a  cry  of  the  conviction  of  fear) 

It  moves! 

(Tries  to  control  herself,  with  an  assumed  air  of  half- 
assurance) 
'Tis  but  a  lizard. 
(Then,  with  a  change  of  tone,  false  reassurance  failing) 

White! 

(The  terror  of  the  unknown  begins  to  dawn  in  her  eyes) 

How  came  a  lizard  white? 

(Clenches  her  hands  convulsively,  speaking  with  rapid 
breath) 

Jt  stares  at  me,  I  cannot  move! 
(A  momentary  catch  of  relief  in  her  voice) 

There,  'tis  gone! 

(Following  with  her  eyes  the  movement  of  the  half-seen 
shape) 

It  creeps  away,  or  is  it  growing  dark 
So  that  I  cannot  see  it  any  more  ? 
(The  red  glare  from  the  fire  begins  to  die  down  gradu- 
ally) 

How  dark! 

And  such  strange  dark!    The  shadows  on  the  walls 
Flicker  as  if  alive. 
(Puts  her  hand  for  support  on  the  rail  of  the  altar) 


8o  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

Can  shadows  be  alive? 
(Looks  around  vaguely) 
Shadows  that  whisper? 
(Points  at  the  opposite  wall) 

Shadows  that  have  eyes! 
(Stands  motionless,  shivering  and  bent) 
Some  presence  chills  my  blood! 
(Listening)  There  again! 

What  do  the  shadows  whisper?    Have  they  speech? 
(Silence.     Then  with  a  sudden  wild  cry) 
What  comes  this  way? 
(Starting  back)  What  comes? 

(Pace  by  pace  she  moves  away  from  the  altar,  her 
whole  frame  quivering  with  terror  and  disgust.  Back- 
ward she  seems  to  be  driven  by  some  invisible  shape 
until  she  is  almost  upon  the  murky  stairway) 

Not  there !    Not  there ! 
I  will  not  go  down  there! 

(Crouching,  and  with  a  movement  as  though  throwing 
off  a  bodily  assailant,  she  runs  across  the  stage.  The 
fire  of  the  altar  dies  down  until  ASTUPHELI  can  be  seen 
only  as  a  dim  white  figure) 

Light! 

Light! 

More  light! 

(Beats  frantically  upon  the  door  of  the  cell,  glancing 
fearfully  over  her  shoulder) 
No  one  will  answer  me! 

(Attacks  the  door  again,  then  seems  to  see  the  tangible 
presence  of  her  terror  growing  nearer) 

It  comes! 

Light!    Light! 

(Rushes  across  the  stage  to  the  altar,  tearing  off  her  linen 
head-dress  as  she  does  so  and  throwing  it  in  the  fire) 
I  cannot  bear  this!    Torture,  if  you  will, 
(A  bright  flame  shoots  up  as  the  fabric  burns,  illumin- 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  81 

ing  the  entire  stage,  bringing  every  detail  of  the  cell 
into  high  relief) 
But  give  me  light! 

(Sinks  to  the  ground  beside  the  altar  in  the  abandon- 
ment of  utter  relief)  'Tis  gone ! 

Yet  I  could  swear 

I  saw  it,  heard  the  beatings  of  its  wings, 
The  whispering  menace  of  its  shadow-speech. 
( The  flame  dies  down  quickly) 
So  short  a  space  of  light! 

Fire,  take  all! 

( Throws  off  her  outer  mantle,  leaving  herself  clad  in  a 
loose  white  robe.  She  tears  the  light  mantle  into  pieces 
and  throws  it  on  the  fire) 

But  leave  me  not  in  darkness !    A  moment's  grace, 
Give  me  just  light  to  find  the  fatal  knife! 
I  will  not  die  in  darkness! 

(Sees  a  knife  gleaming  on  the  wall  and  steps  forward  to 
seize  it.  As  she  does  so,  the  flame  suddenly  expires) 

What  was  that! 
(Shrieks,  sobbing  hysterically) 
The  lizard! 

(Brushes  against  bronze  tools  on  the  altar,  which  clank 
harshly) 

Help! 
(Throws  her  arms  over  her  head  in  a  despairing  appeal) 

I  stepped  upon  it! 
(Rushes  across  the  stage) 

Help! 

(Falls  to  the  floor  as  the  door  opens  suddenly) 
(Enter  CAL  -  ERECH  bearing  a  torch  in  one  hand  and  a 
cup  in  the  other) 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  irony  and  venom  commingled  in  his  tones) 
So,  Astupheli,  thou  art  glad  for  once 
To  see  me  come! 


82  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

ASTUPHELI  —  (nervous  and  shaken,  but  answering  bravely) 

Not  to  see  thee,  only  thy  torch! 
My  brain  had  seemed  to  burst  as  thou  didst  enter. 
(Rises  to  her  feet) 
Why  am  I  brought  here? 

CAL  -  ERECH.  Thus  was  it  ordered. 

ASTUPHELI  —  (scornfully)    Ordered  by  the  priests ! 

CAL  -  ERECH.  Only  a  moment  since, 

Groveling  in  terror,  thou  didst  shriek  for  light, 
Now  thou  dost  rail  defiance  at  the  priests 
To  whom  thou  once  wert  most  obedient. 

ASTUPHELI  —  I  know  them  better  now. 

What  dost  thou  want  of  me? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  To  drink  this  wine! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (understanding)  A  cup  of  poisoned  wine ! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  The  sacrificial  priests  are  on  their  way, 
Poison  is  better  than  a  bloody  death. 

ASTUPHELI  —  My    death    is    sought?      Nimrod    is   victor, 
then? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Nimrod  is  victor.    Nought  remains  to  us 
But  to  prevent  his  marriage.    If  thou  diest 
He  forms  no  royal  dynasty,  and  at  his  death  — 
Perhaps  not  long  delayed  —  the  priests  return. 
(Holds  out  the  cup)    The  wine! 

ASTUPHELI.  I  will  not  drink! 

If  Nimrod  had  been  dead 
And  thou  hadst  brought  the  wine  — 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  an  air  of  candor)    It  was  my  thought 
To  tell  thee  so,  but  sometimes  truth  is  wiser. 
He  cannot  find  thee,  this  hiding  place  is  known 
But  to  the  king,  to  Mitura  and  me. 
The  wine! 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  83 

(Holds  out  the  cup,  warding  it  from  the  danger  of  its 
being  knocked  out  of  his  hand) 

ASTUPHELI  —  (defiantly)    I  will  not  drink! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  quiet  malevolence)     Thou  dost  prefer 

the  dark! 

I  will  inform  the  sacrificial  priests. 
They  will  enjoy  a  human  sacrifice, 
And  possibly  find  royal  auguries  —  from  thee! 
(Takes  the  torch  from  the  cresset  where  it  had  been 
placed  on  his  entrance) 

ASTUPHELI  —  Leave  me  the  light,  Cal-Erech.     See!     The 

fire  is  dead! 
I  cannot  bear  the  dark,  leave  me  the  torch! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  The  wine! 
ASTUPHELI.  No!    No! 

CAL  -  ERECH.  'Tis  but  a  choice  of  deaths, 

And  finding  auguries  is  barbarous. 
Once  more,  the  wine! 

ASTUPHELI.  Never,  while  Nimrod  lives! 

(Exit  CAL  -  ERECH,  carrying  with  him  the  torch  and 
the  cup  of  wine) 

(As  the  door  closes,  absolute  darkness  falls  upon  the 
scene,  not  the  slightest  flicker  of  flame  being  observable 
on  the  altar) 

ASTUPHELI  —  (suddenly  smitten   with   a  full  return   of  her 

former  terror) 
The  Shadow! 

Cal-Erech,  come! 

Bring  light! 
Wine! 

Poison! 

Anything  for  light! 


84  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

(The  door  opens  and  CAL  -  ERECH  reappears  standing 
on  the  threshold) 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (in  exactly  the  same  tone  as  before)   The  wine ! 
ASTUPHELI  —  (pleadingly)    I  was  thy  pupil  once  - 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (immovable)  The  wine! 

(Steps  are  heard  coming  down  the  long  passage  to  the 
cell-door  at  which  CAL  -  ERECH  is  standing.  He 
turns  quickly  to  see  who  is  coming,  then  enters  the  cell 
hurriedly) 

Here  come  the  priests! 

This  is  thy  sole  escape  from  hideous  tortures! 
(ASTUPHELI  hesitates  for  a  moment  and  is  about  to 
take  the  cup  in  her  hands,  but  waits  to  make  sure  that 
the  steps  are  those  of  her  executioners) 
(Enter  ASTRAEL  and  MITURA) 

ASTUPHELI  —  (with  a  cry  of  joy)     It  is  my  father!     (Sinks 

at  his  feet) 

Thou  didst  not  bid  me  drink  the  poisoned  cup? 
Say  that  it  is  not  true! 

ASTRAEL.  I  sent  no  poison! 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  'Tis  wiser.     She  will  not  marry  Mitura. 

ASTRAEL  —  But  why  so  quick  to  take  this  on  thyself? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Sooner  or  later,  what  matters  it  to  us  ? 

(The  two  men  stand  close  together,  eyeing  each  other 
cautiously,  ASTRAEL  with  knitted  brows  trying  to 
fathom  the  old  priest's  purpose,  CAL  -  ERECH  smiling, 
but  watchful) 

ASTRAEL  —  (starting  violently  as  the  truth  flashes  across  his 

mind) 

I  see  thy  plan!    Thou  seekest  the  crown  thyself! 
Therefore  thou  wert  so  quick  to  show  that  Mitura 
Could  not  be  married  on  that  day  of  storm; 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  85 

Therefore  didst  thou  come  here  to  slay  the  girl 

Before  she  could  be  made  to  wed  to-day, 

For  Mitura  can  only  rival  thee 

When  Astupheli  gives  him  royal  station. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  If  so,  what  change  is  there?     Here  is  no 

beam  of  sun, 

No  marriage  can  be  consecrated  in  this  place 
Even  if  Astupheli  granted  it. 

ASTRAEL  —  She  shall  be  married  here  and  now. 
ASTUPHELI  —  (with  pleading  and  protest)  Father! 

ASTRAEL  —  (ignoring  the  girl  entirely) 

Let  all  the  rite  save  that  one  phrase  be  said 
And  I  will  swear  that  all  has  been  fulfilled. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  It  doth  need  a  tongue  to  swear  an  oath, 

And  tongue  thou  shalt  have  none,  as  head  thou  shalt 

have  none, 

When  Nimrod  comes.    In  Eridhu's  defense 
I  have  no  part,  my  life  has  not  been  forfeited. 

ASTRAEL  — The  marriage  first! 

CAL  -  ERECH.  The  wine! 

ASTUPHELI.  I  will  not  wed! 

MITURA  —  Have  I  no  word  in  mine  own  bridal  plans? 
Astupheli,  love,  why  showest  thou  such  fear, 
I  would  be  kind! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (confronting  him  angrily  and  scornfully) 

Now  thou  hast  moved  me!     Fear,  indeed! 
Thou  would'st  be  kind !    Of  that  I  am  in  fear  - 
Fear  lest  some  word  of  thine  strike  discord  on  mine 
^  ear, 

Some  touch  of  thine  infect  my  very  raiment 
Just  as  thy  breath  pollutes  even  the  prison  air! 
The  poison  first! 


86  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

CAL  -  ERECH.  Said  I  not  so? 

The  wine! 

ASTRAEL  —  Why  show  such  hate  to  Mitura?    Of  old 
Thou  hadst  no  bitterness! 

ASTUPHELI.  Does  hate  need  reasons? 

Tell  me  the  reason  why  a  snake  is  loathed, 
Show  the  disgust  from  leprous-whitened  flesh, 
Explain  the  horror  of  the  dead's  cold  hand, 
And  I  will  tell  thee  why  I  hate  him  so. 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  There  is  no  marriage  with  such  hate! 

The  wine! 

ASTRAEL  —  (losing    his    temper    and    grasping    ASTUPHELI 

forcibly) 

No  words!    Thou  shalt  be  wed  and  instantly! 
(MITURA  hangs  back  a  moment,  hesitatingly  because 
of  his  fear  of  CAL  -  ERECH,  and  during  the  moment 
of  delay,  steps  are  heard  coming  rapidly  toward  the 
open  door) 

MITURA  —  Someone  comes!    Quick!     Bolt  the  door! 

(MiTURA  endeavors  to  turn  quickly  for  the  door,  but 
ASTRAEL,  not  realizing  his  purpose,  and  fearing  his 
retreat,  intercepts  him,  and  before  CAL  -  ERECH  has  time 
to  shoot  the  bolt,  the  door  is  pushed  violently  and  GIL- 
VAR  -  UR  enters) 

GILVAR  -  UR.  Nimrod  is  here ! 

(Seeing  ASTRAEL  and  MITURA,  GILVAR  -  UR  is  on  the 
defensive,  but  he  has  not  seen  CAL  -  ERECH,  who  was 
behind  the  door  as  he  came  in,  and  as  the  newcomer 
stands,  awaiting  the  next  move,  with  a  deft  movement 
CAL  -  ERECH  throws  a  chain  around  him,  pinioning 
his  sword-arm.  He  struggles  and  is  about  to  free  him- 
self, when  ASTRAEL  and  MITURA  both  come  to  CAL- 
ERECH'S  assistance,  and  GILVAR  -  UR  is  bound.  The 
heavy  bronze  bolt  of  the  door  is  shot  across  and  fastened) 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  87 

ASTRAEL  —  They  can  be  wed  before  that  door  be  forced. 
MITURA  —  It  is  too  late  with  Nimrod  here. 
ASTRAEL.  Too  late? 

MITURA  —  I  do  not  wish  to  die.    Nimrod  will  spare  my  life. 
ASTRAEL  —  But  not  with  honor! 

MITURA.  What  honor  hath  a  corpse? 

I  do  not  think  the  dead  concerned  with  honor. 

ASTRAEL  —  (with  the  ache  of  disillusionment  in  his  voice) 
My  world  is  crumbling  round  my  feet,  manhood 
Seems  but  a  name,  the  gods  — 
(Pauses,  with  a  gesture  of  despair) 

CAL  -  ERECH.  The  gods  ? 

ASTRAEL  —  (bitterly,  but  with  dignity) 

False  trust,  false  priests,  false  gods!    I  had  believed 

the  stars 

To  be  the  eternal  points  divinely  set 
To  show  where  Destiny  had  pricked  her  chart. 
I  did  not  dream  the  so-called  Mighty  Seven 
Were  but  the  creatures  of  your  brains. 

CAL-  ERECH.  Are  they  not  gods? 

ASTRAEL  —  Have  I  not  prayed  to  them?    Done  sacrifice? 
Poured  out  my  treasure  for  their  temples? 
Have  I  not  toiled  over  their  mystic  lore? 
Ordered  my  kingdom  by  their  guiding  omens? 
Labored  unceasingly?    Spent  anxious  nights 
In  eager  scrutiny  of  all  the  stars? 
And  what  is  my  reward  ?     They  lie  to  me ! 
They  rob  me  of  my  throne!    They  send  me  shame! 

CAL -ERECH  —  They  lied  to  thee?    Did  they  not  tell  thee 

this? 

Didst  thou  not  read  the  fall  of  Eridhu  ? 
Heed  well,  King  Astrael,  for  if  thou  diest  so, 


88  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

Scorning  the  gods,  unending  solitude 
Shall  be  thy  portion  in  the  Shadow-world ! 

ASTRAEL  —  Is  there  a  Shadow-world  ?    And  are  there  gods  ? 
Or  do  we  live  so,  that  when  at  last  we  die, 
We  find  that  Death  is  all  that  there  is  of  Life? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (eagerly)    Thou  dost  not  wish  to  live  ? 

ASTRAEL  —  (gravely)  Why  should  I  live  ? 

All  dynasties  must  end,  and  mine  ends  now. 
Better  to  end  it  as  a  priest  and  king 
Than  be  a  spectacle  upon  the  city  walls. 

ASTUPHELI  —  Nimrod  will  spare  thy  life! 

ASTRAEL.  I  shall  not  ask  it! 

(Embraces  ASTUPHELI  gently) 

(Quietly    and   with    entire    self-possession,    ASTRAEL 

walks  to  the  steps  that  lead  down  into  the  Cavern  of 

Silence.    At  the  top  he  pauses) 
CAL  -  ERECH  —  (with  a  shudder)    Thou  knowest  ? 

ASTRAEL  —  (showing  perfect  composure)    I  know ! 

This  is  the  end.     Farewell! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (starts  forward  as  though  to  run  to  him,  but  he 
puts  up  his  hand  to  warn  her  away)    Father ! 

ASTRAEL  —  Farewell ! 

(Turns  and  with  a  firm  stride  descends  the  steps.  In  a 
moment  he  is  out  of  sight.  No  one  moves.  There 
comes  one  long  shuddering  moan,  and  all  is  still) 
(CAL  -  ERECH  is  the  first  to  recover  himself.  He  looks 
at  ASTUPHELI,  who  is  crouched  upon  the  floor  near 
GILVAR  -  UR,  sobbing  bitterly,  and  at  MITURA,  who, 
as  white  as  the  dead,  is  holding  to  the  sacrificial  slab 
for  support.  The  old  priest  reaches  his  hand  out  quietly 
for  the  cup  of  poisoned  wine  and,  sidling  up  to  where 
ASTUPHELI  is  weeping,  he  suddenly  grasps  her  roughly 
and  tries  to  force  the  poison  down  her  throat) 


ACT  III  N  I  M  R  O  D  89 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  The  king  is  dead!  Only  the  priests  remain! 
(MiTURA,  suddenly  perceiving  CAL  -  ERECH'S  inten- 
tions, runs  forward  and  grapples  him.  While  they  are 
struggling  there  is  a  sudden  tumult  outside  and  with  a 
fearful  crash  a  battering  ram  is  brought  with  full  force 
against  the  door  and  the  huge  bronze  bolt  falls  shattered) 
(Through  the  breach  plunge  NIMROD,  EN-TUR, 
and  soldiers.  NIMROD,  seeing  the  two  men  struggling 
on  the  floor,  snatches  MITURA  and  throws  him  half 
across  the  stage,  then  raises  ASTUPHELI  tenderly,  while 
at  the  same  time  EN  -  TUR  captures  CAL  -  ERECH.  The 
soldiers  loosen  the  bonds  of  GILVAR  -  UR) 

NIMROD  —  Thou  art  not  injured,  Love! 

ASTUPHELI  —  (clinging  to  him)  Nimrod,  take  me  away! 
This  dark  and  horror  seems  to  numb  my  brain! 
(EN  -  TUR,  still  keeping  a  firm  grip  on  CAL  -  ERECH, 
holds  out  silently  the  empty  cup,  with  a  residue  of 
whitish  powder  in  the  bottom  of  it.  NIMROD  turns  to 
CAL  -  ERECH) 

NIMROD  —  Poison?     I  will  remember!    Ask  thy  stars 
What  fate  awaits  thee?    I  can  prophesy  — 
Death  shapes  thy  welcome  to  his  realm  to-day! 
(Turns  to  ASTUPHELI) 
Now  I  have  conquered  Astrael  - 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  (interrupting)  Too  fast! 

Thou  hast  not  conquered  Astrael ! 

NIMROD  —  (suspiciously)  What  meanest  thou  ? 

CAL  -  ERECH  —  Thou  hast  not  conquered  Astrael !    Behold ! 
(Points  to  the  top   of   the   steps.     NIMROD,  leaving 
ASTUPHELI  for  a  moment,  goes  to  the  ominous  pit.    At 
the  head  of  the  grim  staircase  he  shrinks  and  looks  back 
at  CAL  -  ERECH  with  blanched  cheeks) 
Thou  hast  not  conquered  Astrael,  but  death! 


90  N  I  M  R  O  D  ACT  III 

(NiMROD  returns  to  ASTUPHELI,  placing  his  arm  about 
her,  tenderly) 

NIMROD  —  Death  hath  not  conquered  Astrael, 

(Pauses  and  points  upward  with  his  sword) 

but  God! 

(Curtain) 


FINIS 


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